Pay rise unsatisfactory for bus staff, says union

Bus drivers and engineers in Cambridge will continue strike action after a pay rise was imposed without union agreement.

Unite said about 200 workers at Stagecoach East in Cambridge took action over the Christmas period, with strikes continuing into January, in a dispute over pay.

Darren Roe, the managing director of Stagecoach East, said he had implemented a pay rise of 4% for the Cambridge team from 28 December, in line with increases already given to other depots in the county.

The unions regional representative Mark Plumb said the "imposing of a pay award is unsatisfactory" and that members remain "resolute" in their decision to keep striking.

Unite the Union, who represents staff, said members had walked out for multiple days despite talks, and would continue to strike on 10, 19 and 24 January.

A spokesperson for Stagecoach East said it had loaned 27 drivers on Monday as members walked out, with people travelling from Scotland and Wales to cover.

Roe said the pay rise was 0.8% above inflation and said no changes had been made to drivers' overtime rates or terms and conditions following employee feedback.

He said the decision followed two other depots in the county having reached a pay agreement, adding that he did not want to leave the Cambridge team without a pay rise.

"Unfortunately, due to the impact on the financial affordability of the industrial action, we were not able to back-date the increase to the October anniversary," said Roe.

Plumb said members wanted to receive £17 an hour to reflect the staff's hard work and that they work in "one of the most expensive cities".

He said previous "talks have broken down" which has resulted in more action.

The union said its members wanted "a pay increase that reflects extremely difficult demands of the job and the rising cost of living".

It also previously said it would "escalate" strike action if the dispute was not resolved.

Roe encouraged those striking to "return to work" whilst pay talks are concluded, and said his "door will remain open to the trade union".

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