Derbyshire bus operator hopes for 'minimal impact' on passengers as drivers take industrial action

Transport union the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) has announced industrial action on Stagecoach East Midlands as part of a national campaign to ‘secure professional pay rates for professional drivers’.

The company runs a number of services throughout Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.

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A Stagecoach East Midlands spokesman said: “We expect the action will have a minimal impact on our services.

"However, we are disappointed with the union's stance, particularly when we have worked hard to protect the jobs of our people, bus networks are requiring taxpayer support as a result of the pandemic, and the focus should be on protecting the long-term sustainability of services for the local community.

"We are committed to offering good packages for our people that reflect the local economic conditions, the varying costs of running services and the level of passenger journeys.

"Disappointingly, none of the offers we have made to the RMT have been put forward by the union to members to vote on."

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Union members have voted n‎ot to undertake overtime and not to undertake rest day working between from Friday, September 17 to Friday, October 1.

Mick Lynch, RMT general secretary, said: “It's well established now that we are facing a national shortage of bus drivers as staff leave over poor pay and conditions.

“It is ridiculous Stagecoach have chosen this moment to kick their staff in the teeth over pay. The consequences for local services will be horrific.”