'Angry' bus drivers balloted for strike action

More than 200 bus drivers in Gloucestershire are being balloted over whether they will take strike action.

According to the Unite union, more than 250 Stagecoach West drivers from across Gloucestershire, including Cheltenham, Gloucester, the Forest of Dean, and Stroud, are "angry over pay".

A rejected pay deal put forward by Stagecoach West for the four depots excludes back pay and has been offered on the condition that weekend and bank holiday rates are abolished, the union said.

A Stagecoach West spokesperson said it was "committed to reaching a fair deal" for employees.

Unite said the offer put forward by Stagecoach West would still leave the workers being paid less than drivers at other Gloucestershire bus operators, which "not only pay higher regular rates but have enhanced weekend and bank holiday rates as well".

The ballot for strike action opened on Tuesday and is set to close on 9 January.

Strike action would impact services operating out of the company's depots in Cheltenham, Coleford, Gloucester and Stroud.

Amy Roberts, Unite regional officer, said Stagecoach West needed to put forward "acceptable offers" to prevent strike action.

"If that does not happen it will be entirely responsible for any disruption caused to services across Gloucestershire during the winter months," she added.

A Stagecoach West spokesperson said: "We are aware of Unite's ballot on strike action in Gloucestershire, and we urge the union to return to negotiations after rejecting our most recent pay offer.

"Stagecoach is committed to reaching a fair deal for our team across the region and we value the contribution of all our people."

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