Stagecoach bus drivers back strike action over pay

About 200 Stagecoach bus drivers are to go on strike after rejecting a pay offer.

The Unite union said services in the Highlands and Orkney would be affected after its members voted in favour of industrial action.

Routes on Skye would be among the Highland services impacted. No dates have yet been set for strikes.

Stagecoach Highland said it was working hard for a fair deal and minimise disruption to customers.

Unite said drivers had been offered a 4% increase from July with a further 2.5% rise from January next year.

This would then be followed by a 3% increase from July 2025 for one year.

The union said places that could be affected were:

• Aviemore
• Inverness
• Portree
• Tain
• Thurso
• Orkney

General secretary Sharon Graham said: "Unite's Stagecoach bus drivers who provide a vital service across the Scottish Highlands and Islands deserve an improved pay offer.

"The company continues to increase its bank balance at the expense of our members, and this is not acceptable."

Stagecoach Highlands said it had been informed by Unite of the vote.

A spokesperson said: "Our joint negotiating committee of union representatives and management are working hard to reach a fair deal for our team across the region.

"We would like to reassure our passengers that we are doing everything we can to minimise any potential disruption to services, and will provide further updates in due course."