Bus services warning as staff ballot for strikes

BUS services in the North East could be ‘seriously impacted’ by potential strikes, as around 500 staff at two depots in Newcastle are ballotted.

- OWEN YOUNGER Reporter

The Unite Union members work for Busways Travel Services, part of the Stagecoach North East group, at major depots in Slatyford and Walkergate.

With many bus services to and from Newcastle city centre operating out of the depots, any form of strike action is likely to be extremely disruptive.

The disagreement is due to wages, with the union saying that, while no formal pay offer has been made by Stagecoach to its members, representatives have been unofficially offered a below inflation pay rise of 3.3%.

This is said to be ‘substantially less’ than Unite is aiming to secure for its members within the transport company.