Bus services across the west of Scotland are set to face major disruption after pay negotiations between Stagecoach and its drivers broke down, prompting Unite the union to confirm six weeks of strike action.
Around 430 Stagecoach drivers from depots in Ayr, Arran, Ardrossan and Kilmarnock will walk out on 26 May, 2 June and 6 June, with additional rolling strikes planned throughout the summer across routes in Ayrshire, Lanarkshire and Glasgow.
Unite said members had overwhelmingly backed the strike, with 98% voting in favour of industrial action. The dispute centres on what the union describes as an “unacceptable” 4% pay offer, which they argue would leave west of Scotland drivers among the lowest paid in Stagecoach’s UK network.
Industrial officer Siobhan McCready criticised the terms on offer, stating: “The drivers are being asked to fund a pay rise by working longer hours, taking longer unpaid breaks and losing a week of annual leave. This company doesn’t seem capable of listening to its workers.”
While Stagecoach has proposed an increase in hourly pay by more than 15% over two years, Unite claims the structure of the offer unfairly burdens staff and fails to reflect the rising cost of living.
The company said it is committed to finding a “fair and sustainable” deal that protects the long-term viability of its services. A Stagecoach spokesperson confirmed further discussions are ongoing but has not issued a new offer to avert the strikes.
Depots in Dumfries and Galloway are not included in this round of industrial action.
The dispute had previously seen strike plans paused after Stagecoach withdrew a threat to revoke annual leave entitlements, but Unite has since said no meaningful progress has been made.
