The drivers' union UNITE, has called on its members to strike on Friday, December 5, and Monday, December 8.

But Andrew Dyer, Stagecoach regional managing director, said the action will not affect bus services in the town.

He said around 80 managers and staff from Stagecoach across the UK are being brought in to ensure there is no disruption to the 15 routes in the network.

Regional strike

He said: "The contingency plan has worked well when applied in other regions where strike action has been taken and, where we cannot solve the issue despite the ongoing dialogue with the union.

"Our priority is to ensure that commuters and other bus users are not without their service."

The south east-wide strike could be the first of four walk-outs, in a bid to get more pay for Stagecoach drivers.

A spokesman for UNITE said drivers were paid about £2 less per hour then their local counterparts at Brighton Buses, Metrobus and National Express.

Lower pay

David Weeks, regional industrial officer at the union, said: "Our members work just as hard as their colleagues at other local bus companies but are being paid far less, are at the lower end of the pay
scale for the area and the bus industry in the south east in general.

"This is unfair, divisive and demotivating, which is why we want clear and fast-moving progress towards closing this pay gap and we are willing to talk to Stagecoach at any time about resolving this matter."

All strikes will be from midnight to midnight.

For full details on Stagecoach services, visit www.stagecoachbus.com/south or call 0871 200 22 33.


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