The first of seven days of industrial action will take place next Tuesday

Drivers employed by Stagecoach in south and east Devon have voted overwhelmingly to strike in a dispute over pay.

The first of seven days of industrial action is due to be held next Tuesday.

Drivers, 93% of whom voted for strike action, want an increase from their current rate of �5.93 per hour to a minimum of �6.50.

There is �7 an hour on the table, that's an absolute offer Chris Hilditch, Managing Director Stagecoach Devon

They are also calling for their working week to be cut by an hour.

Phil Bialyk, of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union, said: "�5.93 is very stale for what they have to do.

"Dealing with the public, dealing with services, they have to deal with a lot of grief on the road.

"We don't want special treatment - we just want a decent wage and �6.50 is not a lot of money for somebody with all those responsibilities"

Other drivers

The company is offering a rise which would equate to �7 an hour.

That figure would incorporate a buy-out of some working practices, including payment for meal breaks and the payments drivers receive to cover the walk to pick up their bus.

It is these changes in working practices which drivers are unwilling to accept.

"There is �7 an hour on the table, that's an absolute offer," said Chris Hilditch, Managing Director of Stagecoach Devon.

"So here we have drivers striking because they want �6.50 and I've offered them �7, so you tell me what's going on."

If the strikes go ahead the company says it will consider bringing in drivers from other parts of the country to cover services.