Stagecoach drivers balloted for strike action over 'unacceptable' pay offer

Buses could be cancelled across the west of Scotland as hundreds of drivers are balloted on strike action over an “unacceptable pay offer”.

Unite the union announced on Monday that 500 Stagecoach West Scotland drivers are being balloted for potential strike action.

This follows the rejection of a basic 4% pay increase for one year, which Unite claims is “unacceptable”, given the company’s significant profit increase last year.

Members voted 99% against the offer, declaring it would leave workers among the lowest paid in Stagecoach’s UK operations.

The ballot opens on March 31 and closes on April 17. If voted through, strikes will begin in early May.

Stagecoach West Coast operates out of depots in Ayr, Arran, Ardrossan, Dumfries, Kilmarnock and Stranraer, with routes in Dumfries and Galloway, Ayrshire, Lanarkshire and Glasgow.

Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary, said: “Stagecoach West Scotland is a profitable company making money on the back of our members’ hard work and long hours.

“The company can easily afford to put forward a fairer offer.

“If they don’t quickly change direction, then any strike action impacting bus services will be due to them putting profits before people.”

Stagecoach West, which trades under the name Western Buses Limited, made a profit after tax of £2.99m in 2024, up from £1.3m in 2023.

The company’s revenues also increased to £59.7m, up from £50.9m over the same period.

Siobhan McCready, Unite industrial officer, said: “Stagecoach West Scotland drivers deserve a fair rise that brings them in line with other parts of the business across the UK.

“The drivers are on one of the lowest rates of pay across the whole Stagecoach group.

“This is not an easy job, and the drivers deserve a pay rise reflecting the responsibilities and challenges of the role.

“If there is no movement on pay, then strike action will be inevitable and that will be on the heads of the company.”

A spokesperson for Stagecoach West Scotland said: “We can confirm that pay discussions are currently ongoing with Unite and therefore we believe it is inappropriate to comment further at this stage during the process.”