Strikes by almost 200 drivers working for Leicester Citybus have been averted after they secured a vastly improved pay deal.

The drivers, members of Unite - the leading union representing workers in passenger transport - had initially been offered a 3.5 per cent one-year deal by their employer.

However, after beginning the legal dispute process, they have now voted to accept a much better pay rise. Workers will get a 4.3 per cent increase over year one, backdated to April 1, there will then be several further increases and in total workers will receive 10.45 per cent over a 16-month period.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "This amazing win for our members at Leicester Citybus shows the power in a union.

"Workers stuck together in their fight for better pay and have been rewarded. It always pays to be a member of Unite."

As well as the improved pay offer, drivers at Leicester Citybus will see a significant improvement to the current sick pay scheme criteria.

Prior to the agreement, a driver with less than five years’ service would receive company sick pay from day 14, while a driver with more than that would receive company sick pay from day nine.

The new agreement sees all drivers - regardless of length of service - receive sick pay from day five. In addition to this, a caveat was agreed that if sickness levels fall below three per cent for three consecutive months, the day sick pay is received will change to day four.  Unite believes there is potential for this to change to day one sick pay in the future.

Unite regional officer Harj Mahi said: "Any strike action would have been very disruptive to bus services in Leicester, but we are pleased to have avoided this and gained a great win for our members.

"Anyone looking for better pay should join Unite and encourage their colleagues to become members too."

ENDS

Notes to editors

For media enquiries ONLY please contact Unite press officer Natasha Wynarczyk on 07970081524

Email: natasha.wynarczyk@unitetheunion.org