" Potential for transport misery as North East bus drivers vote on strike action", 22 September 2021

... More than 800 drivers and engineers at Stagecoach North East are being balloted on strike and other industrial action, saying they have been offered a pay deal of less than 2%...

Unite regional coordinating officer Mark Sanderson said: “We will not put up with management negotiating depot by depot in future. This has resulted in Unite members driving for Stagecoach in Newcastle being paid a higher hourly rate than those working at South Shields and Sunderland. Teesside drivers are paid less than all the other drivers in Stagecoach North East...

A Stagecoach North East spokesperson said: “...We are committed to offering good packages for our people. Contrary to the misleading impression given by Unite, we have made a good offer to deliver further improvements in pay and conditions, which would result in their pay increasing by 4% since the start of the pandemic. This is in line with other bus operators in the region and reflects inflation over the period.

“...Covid-19 has resulted in bus passenger numbers being only 70% of pre-pandemic levels...Any changes to pay and conditions have to reflect the local economic conditions, the varying costs of running services and the level of passenger journeys if the bus network is no remain sustainable.

“We very much remain open to continuing discussions with the union and would urge them to return to talks.”