STAGECOACH BUS STRIKES

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: october 2021 :: RMTnews 9 STAGECOACH BUS STRIKES Stagecoach bus members to take strike action this month as part of national campaign for pay justice RMT has served notice for strike action on October 18 on Stagecoach buses in the South West, East Midlands and Derbyshire/Yorkshire as part of the national fight for pay justice for bus workers. The union has reacted with fury to a sustained campaign of abuse and misinformation over the pay campaign pedalled by Stagecoach managers which has already led to members of the public confronting bus staff at the sharp end. RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said that the massive votes for action by Stagecoach members reflect the growing disgust amongst bus workers at being kicked in the teeth on pay while inflation and wages elsewhere are rising steeply. “Instead of responding positively to that justified anger from their staff with a fair offer the Stagecoach operation has instead resorted to a gutter campaign of abuse against their own staff designed to provoke a public backlash and that is what is happening right now. It is a disgrace. “It's well established now that we are facing a national shortage of bus drivers as staff leave over poor pay and conditions. “It is ridiculous that Stagecoach have chosen this moment to hammer their staff over pay. The consequences for local services will be horrific. “RMT is fighting for professional wages for professional bus workers and our members are leading that charge right across the country now. “We have had no option but to put this action on for October 18 and the company should stop their attacks on their staff and start talking seriously about a just and fair settlement,” he said. The union has already written to the Chief Executive of Stagecoach UK Bus Group requesting a national Avoidance of Disputes meeting to discuss all these disputes by bus workers who had been hailed as heroes during the Covid pandemic and they were being repaid by what is in effect and pay cut. It has been widely reported that many bus drivers are leaving the industry to earn higher wages in the HGV sector which is experiencing a labour shortage and paying higher wages as a result. According to the union, in the last three months alone more than 100 bus workers, mostly drivers, have left Stagecoach in Exeter and Plymouth. The figures show that since May 26 at least 55 have gone in each city. In Barnstaple the figure is 22 and Torquay 11. Another anonymous driver said that the problem of staff leaving was getting worse. RMT regional organiser Barry West said that a typical bus driver in Plymouth gets paid £10 an hour and the union was currently negotiating with Stagecoach for improved terms and conditions for its members. "They are professional people and they deserve decent living wages,” he said. s, he he