Latest news with #SiobhanMcCready
The Independent
26-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Dozens of bus services cancelled as drivers strike in pay dispute
More than 40 bus services have been cancelled across Ayrshire as bus drivers stage the first strike in six weeks of planned action over a pay dispute. Bus operator Stagecoach apologised to passengers and listed 41 services which had been cancelled on Monday, with dozens more across the west of Scotland running to a limited timetable. Stagecoach said the industrial action by more than 400 Unite members 'will disrupt our services and inconvenience our customers'. The firm added: 'We're working hard to minimise the impact of this disruption, but unfortunately, the limited services we're running will affect customers travelling in and around Ayrshire. 'We're very sorry for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience and understanding.' Stagecoach said services in Ayrshire on Monday are being operated by drivers from other depots. Monday's strike will be followed by two further strike days on June 2 and 6, and then six weeks of continuous action starting on June 9 and lasting until July 21. Unite said previously around 430 Stagecoach drivers will take action after last minute pay talks did not lead to an improvement in an 'unacceptable' 4% pay offer previously rejected by members. The union said buses operating out of several depots in Ayr, Arran, Ardrossan and Kilmarnock servicing bus routes in Ayrshire, Lanarkshire and Glasgow, would be affected. Siobhan McCready, Unite industrial officer, said: 'Stagecoach West Scotland have not improved their pay offer in six months. '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 is simply unacceptable, and it will not be tolerated by Unite.' She added: 'Widespread and prolonged industrial action is set to hit bus services across the west of Scotland because this company doesn't seem capable of listening to its workers. 'It's not right that the drivers are the lowest paid across the whole of the Stagecoach group. 'Our members deserve a fair rate and that's what we are determined to get for them.' Unite said members voted by 98% to take industrial action after rejecting the 4% pay offer which was tabled in November. A Stagecoach spokesperson previously said Ayrshire staff have rejected a two-year pay deal involving an increase to their hourly pay rate of 11.8%. The spokesperson added: 'We urge Unite to reconsider its position and return to the negotiating table. 'Our commitment remains to reach a fair and sustainable agreement – one that supports our employees while ensuring the long-term viability of our services across west Scotland.' The spokesperson added on Monday: 'Stagecoach is operating services across Ayrshire today, Monday May 26 on a reduced timetable, with some services unfortunately unable to operate due to industrial action. 'We're committed to keeping communities connected and apologise for any inconvenience caused. 'Customers are advised to check the latest updates on our website 'Normal bus services in the region will resume on Tuesday May 27.'
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Dozens of bus services cancelled as drivers strike in pay dispute
More than 40 bus services have been cancelled across Ayrshire as bus drivers stage the first strike in six weeks of planned action over a pay dispute. Bus operator Stagecoach apologised to passengers and listed 41 services which had been cancelled on Monday, with dozens more across the west of Scotland running to a limited timetable. Stagecoach said the industrial action by more than 400 Unite members 'will disrupt our services and inconvenience our customers'. The firm added: 'We're working hard to minimise the impact of this disruption, but unfortunately, the limited services we're running will affect customers travelling in and around Ayrshire. 'We're very sorry for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience and understanding.' Stagecoach said services in Ayrshire on Monday are being operated by drivers from other depots. Monday's strike will be followed by two further strike days on June 2 and 6, and then six weeks of continuous action starting on June 9 and lasting until July 21. Unite said previously around 430 Stagecoach drivers will take action after last minute pay talks did not lead to an improvement in an 'unacceptable' 4% pay offer previously rejected by members. The union said buses operating out of several depots in Ayr, Arran, Ardrossan and Kilmarnock servicing bus routes in Ayrshire, Lanarkshire and Glasgow, would be affected. Siobhan McCready, Unite industrial officer, said: 'Stagecoach West Scotland have not improved their pay offer in six months. '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 is simply unacceptable, and it will not be tolerated by Unite.' She added: 'Widespread and prolonged industrial action is set to hit bus services across the west of Scotland because this company doesn't seem capable of listening to its workers. 'It's not right that the drivers are the lowest paid across the whole of the Stagecoach group. 'Our members deserve a fair rate and that's what we are determined to get for them.' Unite said members voted by 98% to take industrial action after rejecting the 4% pay offer which was tabled in November. A Stagecoach spokesperson previously said Ayrshire staff have rejected a two-year pay deal involving an increase to their hourly pay rate of 11.8%. The spokesperson added: 'We urge Unite to reconsider its position and return to the negotiating table. 'Our commitment remains to reach a fair and sustainable agreement – one that supports our employees while ensuring the long-term viability of our services across west Scotland.' The spokesperson added on Monday: 'Stagecoach is operating services across Ayrshire today, Monday May 26 on a reduced timetable, with some services unfortunately unable to operate due to industrial action. 'We're committed to keeping communities connected and apologise for any inconvenience caused. 'Customers are advised to check the latest updates on our website 'Normal bus services in the region will resume on Tuesday May 27.'
The National
26-05-2025
- Business
- The National
Stagecoach strike disrupts bus routes across west Scotland
The 24-hour walkout, which is affecting services in Ayrshire, Lanarkshire and Glasgow, will be followed by two further strike days on June 2 and 6. Trade union Unite said six weeks of further action are planned after talks with the bus operator failed to improve on a 4% pay offer for members. READ MORE: Edinburgh Marathon results 2025 – see full list Around 430 drivers operating out of depots in Ayr, Arran, Ardrossan and Kilmarnock are on strike, the union said. But depots in Dumfries and Galloway are not involved in the action. Strike action for other days had previously been suspended for further talks after the company withdrew a threat to cancel drivers' annual leave entitlement. Unite industrial officer, Siobhan McCready, said: "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." Stagecoach said several services had been suspended and timetables reduced as it said it wanted a "fair and sustainable" pay deal for drivers that preserves the viability of bus services. READ MORE: UK Government to ask Kosovo to take migrants in Rwanda-style plan The operator thanked passengers for "patience and understanding" and urged them to check services before setting out to travel. A Stagecoach spokesperson said: "Regrettably, the industrial action will disrupt our services and inconvenience our customers. "We're working hard to minimise the impact of this disruption, but unfortunately, the limited services we're running will affect customers travelling in and around Ayrshire."
BBC News
26-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Stagecoach bus routes disrupted in west of Scotland driver strike
Stagecoach bus routes across the west of Scotland have been disrupted with drivers out on strike in a dispute over 24-hour walk-out, affecting services in Ayrshire, Lanarkshire and Glasgow, will be followed by two further strike days on 2 June and 6 Unite union said six weeks of further action are planned after talks with the bus operator failed to improve on a 4% pay offer for apologised to customers and said several services had been suspended and timetables reduced. It said it wanted a "fair and sustainable" pay deal for drivers that preserves the viability of bus said about 430 drivers operating out of depots in Ayr, Arran, Ardrossan, and Kilmarnock would be on depots in Dumfries and Galloway are not involved in the action. Minimise impact The union said their current pay offer was "unacceptable" as it left them among the poorest paid across Stagecoach's UK industrial officer Siobhan McCready, said: "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."Strike action had previously been suspended for further talks after the company withdrew a threat of cancelling drivers' annual leave thanks passengers for "patience and understanding" and urged them to check their services before setting out to said in a statement: "Regrettably, the industrial action will disrupt our services and inconvenience our customers. "We're working hard to minimise the impact of this disruption, but unfortunately, the limited services we're running will affect customers travelling in and around Ayrshire."
The Independent
21-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Hundreds of bus drivers to strike over pay dispute
Hundreds of bus drivers in western Scotland are set to launch a six-week strike in a dispute over pay, the Unite union has announced. Approximately 430 Stagecoach drivers will participate in the industrial action after recent pay negotiations failed to improve upon a "unacceptable" 4 per cent pay offer, previously rejected by union members. The strikes are expected to cause significant disruption to bus services operating from depots in Ayr, Arran, Ardrossan, and Kilmarnock, impacting routes across Ayrshire, Lanarkshire, and Glasgow. Initial strike dates are set for May 26, June 2, and June 6. This will then be followed by a continuous six-week walkout commencing on June 9 and concluding on July 21. According to Unite industrial officer Siobhan McCready, Stagecoach West Scotland has not revised its pay offer in six months. The union has warned of "widespread and prolonged" disruption to bus services throughout the region as a result of the planned industrial action. Siobhan McCready continued: '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 is simply unacceptable, and it will not be tolerated by Unite. 'Widespread and prolonged industrial action is set to hit bus services across the west of Scotland because this company doesn't seem capable of listening to its workers. 'It's not right that the drivers are the lowest paid across the whole of the Stagecoach group. Our members deserve a fair rate and that's what we are determined to get for them.' Unite said members voted by 98 per cent to take industrial action after rejecting the 4 per cent pay offer which was tabled last November. The union said the current pay offer is 'unacceptable' and claimed it would leave the drivers among the poorest paid across Stagecoach's UK operations. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: 'The company can end this dispute at any moment by putting forward a fair offer.' Stagecoach has been approached for comment.
