Stagecoach drivers are set to take strike action for six weeks during a busy summer period in a row over pay.
Unite the union has confirmed that around 430 drivers will walk out after pay talks broke down.
It means bus services across the west of Scotland are set to stop after drivers overwhelmingly rejected the 4% offer that was on the table.
Unite say it came with strings attached and is not an improvement on the one that was tabled last November.
Now the drivers have decided to take strike action which will begin with three days on May 26, June 2 and June 6. It will then be followed by six weeks of continuous strike action starting on June 9 and lasting until July 21.
The strike action will impact Stagecoach West Scotland operating out of depots in Ayr, Arran, Ardrossan and Kilmarnock, but those in Dumfries and Galloway are not involved in this strike action.
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Services across Ayrshire, Lanarkshire and Glasgow are to be affected by the action, which the union says will highlight that the current offer is ‘unacceptable’ and is leaving drivers one of the poorest paid across Stagecoach UK’s operations.
Members voted in favour of the strike by 98% and Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Stagecoach West Scotland is a profitable company. It is making money on the back of our members’ hard work and long hours. The company can end this dispute at any moment by putting forward a fair offer.”
Strike action was previously suspended to allow further talks after Stagecoach had withdrawn a threat to cancel annual leave entitlement for drivers.
Unite had stated they would seek an interim interdict against the company on the grounds of preventing discrimination against members for trade action activities unless the threat was withdrawn.
Siobhan McCready, Unite industrial officer, said: “Stagecoach West Scotland have not improved their pay offer in six months. The drivers are being asked to fund a pay rise by working longer hours, taking longer unpaid breaks and losing a week of annual leave. This is simply unacceptable, and it will not be tolerated by Unite.”
“Widespread and prolonged industrial action is set to hit bus services across the west of Scotland because this company doesn’t seem capable of listening to its workers. It’s not right that the drivers are the lowest paid across the whole of the Stagecoach group. Our members deserve a fair rate and that’s what we are determined to get for them.”
A Stagecoach spokesperson said: "Following further discussions with Unite our staff across Dumfries and Galloway have accepted a two year pay deal that will see their hourly rate of pay increase by nearly 12% (11.8%)
“Our Ayrshire staff have, however, rejected this same offer of 11.8%, and despite our best efforts to reach an agreement and avoid industrial action we must now focus on putting practical plans in place to support our customers during this challenging period. We have a crucial role in helping people stay connected with their communities.
“On Monday 26th May, Monday 2nd June and Friday 6th June services will operate as normal from our Cumbernauld, Dumfries and Stranraer depots with reduced services from our Ayrshire depots. The details of the services being operated can be found on our website.
“We urge Unite to reconsider its position and return to the negotiating table. Our commitment remains to reach a fair and sustainable agreement - one that supports our employees while ensuring the long-term viability of our services across West Scotland."
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