More than 50 Loughborough Kinchbus drivers have voted to accept an inflation-busting pay offer and called off strikes scheduled for November and December. 

The pay deal, negotiated by Unite, the UK’s leading union, will see drivers with less than six months service receive an 8.5 per cent pay rise, while drivers with more than six months service will receive a 5.3 per cent increase. RPI inflation is currently running at 4.9 per cent. 

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This is a fantastic victory by members of Unite. By standing together they have ensured Kinchbus tabled an inflation-busting pay deal which was much improved on the initial offer. 

“Unite is now wholly dedicated to defending members’ jobs, pay and conditions. That is beginning to have an effect, as the Kinchbus deal demonstrates.”

Following acceptance of the deal, 11 days of strike action scheduled between 13 November and 11 December has now been called off. 

Kinchbus provides bus routes across Loughborough and the wider region, including services to East Midlands airport, Nottingham, Leicester and Derby.

Unite regional coordinating officer Scott Lennon said: “This result shows what can be achieved through strong union organisation, which is why we urge workers looking to improve their pay and conditions to join Unite and to get their colleagues to do the same.”

ENDS 

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

Email: ryan.fletcher@unitetheunion.org 

Twitter: @unitetheunion Facebook: unitetheunion1 Instagram: unitetheunion Web: unitetheunion.org 

Unite is the leading union in the UK and Ireland, dedicated to defending and improving members' jobs, pay and conditions. The general secretary is Sharon Graham.