Strike Impact and Scale
Approximately 200 Stagecoach bus drivers across the Scottish Highlands and Islands have voted overwhelmingly in favor of strike action, threatening to bring vital transport services to a standstill.
The industrial action, set to begin within weeks, comes after drivers rejected what Unite the union describes as an “unacceptable” pay offer.
Affected Areas:
- Skye
- Orkney
- North and West Inverness regions
Pay Dispute Details
The rejected offer from Stagecoach includes:
Period |
Increase |
|---|---|
| July 2024 | 4% |
| January 2025 | Additional 2.5% |
| July 2025-2026 | 3% |
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham emphasized the disparity between company profits and worker compensation:
“Stagecoach continues to increase its bank balance at the expense of our members, and this is not acceptable.”
Financial Context
The dispute occurs against a backdrop of significant profit growth for Highland Country Buses Limited, Stagecoach’s regional operator.
The company recorded a remarkable increase in profits after tax, jumping from £448,000 to £1.71m in 2023 – a fact that has intensified the union’s position on fair compensation.
Next Steps
Industrial action could commence within weeks unless a resolution is reached.
Marc Jackson, Unite industrial officer, stated:
“This dispute could be resolved by a fair and reasonable pay offer to our members. We would urge Stagecoach to see sense instead of continuing down a road which will lead to significant disruption.”
For the latest updates on service disruptions and negotiations, visit Stagecoach’s official website.
Sources: THX News, BBC & Unite the Union.
