Bus strikes in Kent and Sussex have been called off or postponed after Stagecoach tabled new pay offers to more than 250 drivers, Unite, the UK’s leading union, said today (Wednesday 10 November). 

Strikes at Stagecoach’s Herne Bay and Folkstone depots have been cancelled after drivers there voted to accept 5.7 per cent and 6.5 per cent pay deals respectively. Strikes at Stagecoach Hasting’s depot have been postponed to allow drivers to vote on an offer of 5.8 per cent.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “By standing together, our members have secured much better pay offers from the company. Unite's sole focus now is to fight to defend our members’ jobs, pay and conditions. As these Stagecoach deals show, this is beginning to make a real difference."

Drivers are on different rates of pay at each depot, ranging from £11.10 to £11.67 per hour. Previously they have rejected offers ranging from 2.1 per cent to 4.3 per cent, with each depot being offered a different deal.

Following Unite negotiations, drivers at Stagecoach’s depot in Ramsgate also received a pay rise of 5 per cent, while drivers in Canterbury received a 5.7 per cent increase. 

Unite regional officer Dave Weeks said: “The disputes across Kent have been settled and are a prime example of why it pays to join Unite. Our members in Hastings are being balloted on a 5.8 per cent offer, with the results of the vote known next week.”

ENDS 

For media enquires ONLY contact Unite communications officer Ryan Fletcher on 07849 090215.   

Email: ryan.fletcher@unitetheunion.org  

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Unite is Britain and Ireland’s largest union with members working across all sectors of the economy. The general secretary is Sharon Graham.