No breakthrough in talks after 500 Unite members reject ‘unacceptable’ pay offer
Unite the union can confirm today (23 April) that 500 Stagecoach drivers are set to bring bus services across the west of Scotland to a stop.
Unite members voted by 98 per cent to undertake industrial action on a high turnout following the rejection of an “unacceptable” four per cent pay offer by Stagecoach West Scotland
Unite has said despite ongoing talks with the company a significantly improved pay offer has not been put to the drivers who operate out of several depots in Ayr, Arran, Ardrossan, Dumfries, Kilmarnock and Stranraer.
Strike action will now take place over a series of days including 2, 6, 9, 12, 16, 19, and 23 May (see notes to editors).
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite’s members in Stagecoach West Scotland are being forced to take strike action because of an unacceptable pay offer. It is a profitable company and it can easily afford to put a fairer offer on the table for its hard working drivers. We will fully back our members in their fight for better jobs, pay and conditions.”
Unite believes the current offer would still leave the workers one of the poorest paid across Stagecoach’s UK operations. Unite is highlighting that the company can afford to make an increased offer after its profit after tax increased to £2.99m in 2024 up from £1.3m in 2023. The company’s revenues also increased to £59.7m up from £50.9m over the same period.
Siobhan McCready, Unite industrial officer, said: “Our drivers are on one of the lowest rates of pay across the whole Stagecoach group. It’s unacceptable that the company has refused to tackle low pay.” 
“Unite’s members have no option but to take strike action to get a fair pay rise. They are simply seeking pay parity. Strike action during May is set to bring bus services to a stop but the blame for any disruption lies squarely with Stagecoach.” 
 
ENDS
Notes to Editor 
Strike action will commence on the following dates and times:
Commencing at 04.00 hours on 2nd May 2025 and continuing up to 00.30 hours on 3rd May 2025
Commencing at 04.00 hours on 6th May 2025 and continuing up to 00.30 hours on 7th May 2025
Commencing at 04.00 hours on 9th May 2025 and continuing up to 00.30 hours on 10th May 2025
Commencing at 04.00 hours on 12th May 2025 and continuing up to 00.30 hours on 13th May 2025
Commencing at 04.00 hours on 16th May 2025 and continuing up to 00.30 hours on 17th May 2025
Commencing at 04.00 hours on 19th May 2025 and continuing up to 00.30 hours on 20th May 2025
Commencing at 04.00 hours on 23rd May 2025 and continuing up to 00.30 hours on 24th May 2025”
For media enquiries please contact Andrew Brady on 07810157922.
Email andrew.brady@unitetheunion.org  Unite Scotland is the country’s biggest and most diverse trade union with around 150,000 members. The union is led in Scotland by Derek Thomson.