There is set to be disruption to bus services across Cumbria as over 350 bus drivers are being balloted for industrial action over pay.

Drivers working for Stagecoach North West and are members of Unite, are voting on whether to strike after rejecting an unsatisfactory pay offer from the company. The pay deal does not address the fact that they are paid less than drivers in other areas of the North West, despite having the same cost of living pressures.

Bus drivers in Cumbria are paid £15.20 per hour for all hours worked, which is less than other depots covered under Stagecoach North West. Meanwhile, drivers in Preston and Chorley are currently on £17.10 rising to £17.80 in May 2027 while those in Lancaster and Morecambe currently earn £16.25 per hour Monday to Friday with an extra £1 per hour on Saturdays and Sundays.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “It is wrong that drivers doing the same job and for the same company as their nearby counterparts are paid less.

“This cannot continue. Stagecoach is a profitable company and can more than afford a better pay deal for our members. Our members have our full support in their fight for a better pay deal.”

Stagecoach has the monopoly on running services in Cumbria. Its latest accounts for the 53 week period ending May 2025 found it had a revenue of £55.29m and net assets of £19.9m. 

Meanwhile, Unite members at Stagecoach North West Cumbria say they are being made to drive old vehicles that are not fit for purpose. Drivers have received abuse from the general public due to unreliable services and say they are constantly made to work overtime due to breakdowns and poor scheduling.

The ballot opens on 15 September and closes on 29 September. The drivers work at the Barrow-in-Furness, Carlisle, Kendal and Workington depots.

As well as running services to and from towns and villages in Cumbria, Stagecoach North West provides services in and around BAE systems in Barrow-in-Furness and also currently has a contract with Sellafield, near Seascale, (which is currently up for tendering) where it drives thousands of workers each day to the park and ride car parks and also have routes on the site of the nuclear facility.

Unite regional officer Colin Hayden said: “With such a large number of drivers involved across Cumbria, any strike action will be highly disruptive. We know the general public and workers at BAE and Sellafield will be concerned to hear of potential strikes but this is entirely the fault of Stagecoach, who can avoid this by offering our members a fair deal.

“Our driver members do a vital job serving the people of Cumbria. Stagecoach must invest in its fleet and hardworking staff. Bus drivers are key workers and it is high time they were given a pay offer that reflects the demanding and important work they do.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

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

Email: natasha.wynarczyk@unitetheunion.org