This industrial action comes at a critical time, just before and after Christmas, when many rely on public transport to visit family and friends. The walkouts are expected to cause widespread delays and cancellations to bus services, urging commuters to find alternative travel arrangements.
The Dispute: Reduced Overtime Rates at the Heart of the Conflict
The central issue driving the strike is a proposed reduction in overtime rates for Stagecoach workers. According to Unite, the company’s proposed pay deal would see overtime rates cut by 12% during the week and by 20% over weekends and bank holidays. This move, the union argues, would unfairly impact the workers’ income, particularly those who rely on overtime to make up a significant portion of their earnings.
Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham has expressed strong support for the strike, claiming that Stagecoach, which made £97.3 million in profits last year, can afford to maintain the existing overtime pay structure. The union points out that Stagecoach’s £1.6 billion in total sales should be enough to prevent cuts to overtime rates, especially as workers in Cambridge are already among the highest paid bus drivers in the region, with an average salary of £45,273.
In response, Stagecoach has defended its offer, arguing that it includes a 5.7% pay rise in the first year and a further 3% increase in the second year. The company also insists that the reduced overtime rates are part of the package designed to balance the increase in base pay. Stagecoach claims that the offer is fair, particularly given the competitive salaries already enjoyed by workers in the Cambridge area.
Impact on Cambridge Bus Services During the Festive Season
The industrial action will severely affect bus services in Cambridge during one of the busiest times of the year. Stagecoach has confirmed that buses in the city will be reduced or cancelled on December 17, 20, 22, 24, and 27. However, services in other areas, such as the Busway, Peterborough, and Bedford, will continue as normal.
Darren Roe, managing director of Stagecoach East, expressed disappointment over the strike, stating that the company had attempted to offer a fair pay deal to its employees. “This strike action will cause unnecessary disruption across our Cambridge-based communities,” Roe said. “We urge the trade union members and Unite the Union to reconsider their position.”
The strikes are likely to cause a headache for commuters during the festive period, with alternative transport options likely to be limited. MP Simon Lightwood, the minister for roads and buses, urged both sides to resolve the dispute quickly, noting that industrial action is damaging for all parties involved, businesses, workers, and passengers alike.
With the possibility of further strikes if the dispute is not resolved, Stagecoach workers and the company face an uncertain Christmas period. Passengers are advised to make alternative travel plans, as the impact of the strikes could stretch well beyond the planned walkout dates if an agreement is not reached.
