"Stagecoach workers plan strike action amid pay dispute", 1 October 2021

The national union of transport workers, RMT...confirmed it is serving notice for strike action on Stagecoach buses in the South West, East Midlands, Derbyshire and Yorkshire.

The strike...is part of a wider campaign for Stagecoach bus workers to receive higher pay with further action planned by Unite union in Scotland.

Mick Lynch, General Secretary of the Union for rail, maritime and transport workers, said, “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.”

...Lynch accused Stagecoach of using underhand tactics to pedal misinformation about the strikes.

“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,” said Lynch...

...Stagecoach said, “we are committed to offering good packages for our people and, as well as protecting jobs during the pandemic, we have reached agreement on pay increases for many employees at a number of depots around the country.

“However, the RMT has continued to make unrealistic and unaffordable demands,” the transport company added, urging workers to return to talks rather than striking...