Bus drivers employed by Stagecoach in Sunderland have accepted an 11% pay rise and £150 bonus, backdated to 1 December 2022, ending their long-running strike.
Three-quarters of the drivers, members of the trade union GMB, voted to accept the pay increase, which is more than the offer they received last year, of a 4% rise, followed by another 2% later in the year. This led to 97% of the city's 200 Stagecoach drivers voting in favour of industrial action in September, which began the next month and lasted 11 days in total.
Stagecoach stated that senior management were pleased an agreement was reached, and that there will be no further strike action by GMB members in Sunderland.
Steve Walker, managing director for Stagecoach North East, said: “We’re pleased to have reached a positive agreement with GMB on a pay deal that has now been fully accepted by their members. We’re very proud of our team, who do a great job in delivering vital transport connections for our communities. This agreement means that we can now focus on the future ahead and making sure we deliver the best possible service for our passengers in Sunderland.”
Laura Maughan, organiser for GMB, added: “After a gruelling couple of months, Sunderland’s bus drivers have won themselves a double digit pay rise, the least they deserve. GMB Union would like to thank the people of Sunderland for the support they’ve shown their drivers during this dispute, it means the world to them. And Stagecoach deserves credit for eventually realising drivers’ worth and negotiating with them to reach a deal.”
