North East bus drivers are to strike after talks failed to resolve a row over pay.

Members of the GMB employed by Stagecoach in Sunderland will walk out from October 11 for five days.

The action will involve almost 200 bus drivers.

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GMB official Stuart Gilhespy said on Friday: “We met with Stagecoach today in the hope of finding some compromise, but they refused to put any more money on the table.

“As a result the people of Sunderland will be desperately inconvenienced.

“Stagecoach has plenty of money but are refusing to invest in the workers, or in Sunderland’s bus fleet which is in a shocking state.

“It’s time they got their priorities straight before Sunderland grinds to a halt.”

Steve Walker, managing director for Stagecoach North East, said: “We are very disappointed that despite further talks today, GMB are still pressing ahead with plans for strike action in Sunderland from Tuesday 11 October to Saturday 15 October.

“We have reached agreement with trade unions at our other north-east depots, which cover the vast majority of our staff. The proposals we have put forward for Sunderland are similar and represent a good pay deal for our employees that would make them amongst the highest paid of any bus drivers in the region.

“We are putting in place arrangements to run the best service that we can for our customers during the strikes. More information on our timetables for these days will be available on our website next week.

“We are open to continuing talks with GMB and would urge them to keep talking rather than resorting to strike action, which will hit the pockets of our drivers and cause uncertainty in our communities.”

 

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