Industrial dispute brought to a close after improved pay offer accepted by union members
Hundreds of bus drivers and engineers at the Stagecoach Merseyside company are celebrating a victory in their industrial dispute with the company after they accepted an improved, above-inflation, pay offer on Friday (12 July).
Stagecoach workers had been taking part in industrial action over the widening pay disparity between themselves and drivers at other bus companies in the region. 
After Unite's hard-nosed negotiations with the company, and members' determination to stand firm on the picket line, the company made an improved offer of 6.4 per cent that significantly reduces the pay gap. Drivers will now receive £16.60 per hour and this will rise to £17.30 per hour in April 2025 to reduce the disparity further.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: 
"Our members at Stagecoach Merseyside can rightly celebrate their hard fought pay rise. This shows, once again, the value of belonging to a union and that Unite is winning for workers by putting money directly in their pockets."
The workers took two days of strike action in June as part of the dispute.
Unite regional officer Brian Troake added:  
"The workers at the Gillmoss garage were prepared to take strike action to show Stagecoach just how angry they were over the rates of pay that they were being offered for doing a highly skilled and highly stressful job.
“Their determination to fight for better pay has led to the company coming back with an acceptable offer which our members have accepted.”
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