Stagecoach bus driver strike suspended after 'improved pay offer'

Strike action by Stagecoach bus drivers in Greater Manchester has been suspended after a new pay offer was made, a union has said.

Unite said it has suspended action 'as an act of good faith' while its members consider the offer from Stagecaoch.

But the union said action by drivers employed by operator First Manchester would currently still be going ahead as planned - including over the August Bank Holiday weekend.

Try MEN Premium for FREE by clicking here for no ads, fun puzzles and brilliant new features.

In a statement on Thursday, Unite said of Stagecoach employees: "Industrial action that was due to take place across the August Bank Holiday weekend and in early September has now been suspended. Members at Stagecoach will be balloted over the new pay offer to decide whether it is accepted.

"However, strikes by bus drivers at First Manchester are still going ahead as no new offer from the employer has been received. These will take place on the following dates:

"August Bank Holiday Weekend: 25, 26, 27, 28 August 2023 September: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 September 2023."

Unite regional officer, Colin Hayden, said: "As an act of good faith we have suspended strike action while our members consider the new pay offer from Stagecoach.

"I urge First Manchester to do likewise - get back round the negotiating table and give our members the pay rise they deserve."

Several days of strike action by employees from both operators have already taken place.

Unite said before they started: "Stagecoach drivers are taking action over a failure to backdate a pay offer. While an improved offer of around 14.3 per cent was made - taking the hourly rate to £16 an hour - the deal would have been implemented from September rather than June, the