Stagecoach East Midlands strike suspended after pay offer

A strike that would have seen up to 200 bus workers in Nottinghamshire walk out has been suspended after a pay offer.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT), including drivers, cleaners, engineers, and clerks, at Stagecoach East Midlands were due to strike over eight days.

Staff will vote on the offer, which the RMT said would make wages £15 an hour, before the ballot ends on 30 November.

The RMT said it was recommending workers accepted the offer.

The union added the pay offer was worth 18.7% as part of a multi-year deal for all grades in the company with "significant" back pay.

Bus drivers currently earn £10.93 an hour when they start the job, rising to £12.50 after a year's service, the RMT says.

The strikes, involving staff based in Worksop and Mansfield, had been due to take place for 48 hours from 27 November and for the same period from 4, 11 and 18 December.

The RMT said "all strike action has been suspended".

General secretary Mick Lynch added: "I congratulate our members on this show of industrial strength and determination which has significantly moved management.

"Strong organisation and being prepared to take significant stoppages over the coming few weeks has given our negotiators the leverage needed to achieve this new offer.

"Members themselves will now decide whether to accept this pay award."

Stagecoach East Midlands provides bus services in Gainsborough, Grimsby, Hull, Lincoln, Mansfield, Newark, Scunthorpe, Skegness, Spalding and Worksop.

The company has been approached for comment.

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