Around 600 Stagecoach workers across Newcastle and the north east of England have voted to accept an improved pay offer, bringing ongoing strikes to an end.
The Slatyford and Walkergate drivers and engineers, who are members of trade union Unite, will see their pay rise by 3.3% backdated to April and a further 1.7% from September as a result of the pay deal.
The workers voted to reject a previous pay offer of a 3.3% increase backdated to April and further 1.7% rise from January 2026.
They said the offer did not bring them pay parity with colleagues doing the same job for Stagecoach in the north west of England. The drivers stated that those in the north east currently only earn £15.01 an hour, whereas north west drivers in Manchester earn £17.54.
They also argued that an increase was reasonable due to Stagecoach’s figures from last year, which showed a total operating profit of £51.1 million, up from £33.1 million previously, and a profit before taxation of £47.6 million.
Strike action took place on 18 and 21 August and action scheduled to begin on 31 August has been cancelled. The workers stated that the strikes would intensify if the dispute was not resolved.
Sharon Graham, general secretary at Unite, said: “By sticking together in their union, the workers at Stagecoach North East won a satisfactory pay deal from their employer. Unite’s top priority is to defend and improve our members’ jobs, pay and conditions.”
Stagecoach North East was contacted for comment prior to publication.
