"Stagecoach bus drivers in Herne Bay and Folkestone to strike over pay", 2 November 2021

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More than 250 Unite members based at Stagecoach’s Herne Bay, Folkestone and Hastings depots...have voted “overwhelmingly” to stage...walkouts over the next three weeks...

A spokesman for Unite says the bus operator has failed “to make a realistic pay offer” to drivers, after demanding the company gives its staff an increase in wages for 2021...

The decision came after members rejected Stagecoach’s latest round of offers, ranging from pay increases of 2.1% to 4.3%, following negotiations with union representatives.

A Stagecoach South East spokesman hopes the disruption can be avoided, with last-ditch talks planned for later this week.

“We have reached agreements with trade unions in the vast majority of other depots across the country and there is no reason why an agreement cannot be reached here,” he stated.

“We are committed to working constructively with our local union representatives to deliver pay proposals that are fair to our people, who we think a great deal of and who do a fantastic job for us.

“But we need to ensure the long-term sustainability of the bus network at a time when passenger numbers are significantly below the level needed to cover the costs of running services.”

“We have further talks with Unite planned for Wednesday for Folkestone and Herne Bay, while Hastings depot are voting on the current pay offer on Thursday.

“We are hopeful that an agreement can be reached to avoid strike action that would cause disruption for our customers and our employees."...