Drivers are to be balloted over strike action

More than 460 staff, mostly drivers, who work for Stagecoach have rejected the latest pay offer from the company.

Members of the Transport and General Workers Union (TGWU) are to be balloted on strike action.

But the company has told union bosses there is no more money available.

A company spokesman said the existing pay offer, which would give drivers a rise of between eight and 14.3% over two years, cannot be improved without cuts to services or hikes in passenger fares.

Driver shortage

But a union spokesman said: "The decision to reject the offer was overwhelming.

"Unless there's a change of heart by the company, a strike is now inevitable."

Union leaders are angry at proposals by Stagecoach to vary pay between depots.

It wants to give most to drivers in Carlisle, where there is a shortage of drivers.

The highest-paid drivers in Carlisle would have seen their pay go up from �5.83 to �6.55 an hour, or �5.12 to �5.85 for mini-bus drivers.

Stagecoach runs the majority of Cumbria's bus services.

It employs 466 drivers at depots in Carlisle, Workington, Kendal and Barrow.