A union organiser has labelled a transport giant as "petty" over an ongoing pay dispute for North East bus drivers, as strikes reach their second day (October 12).
GMB union have today raised concerns regarding the treatment of Sunderland Stagecoach bus drivers who are striking today against pay plans put forward by Stagecoach.
GMB Union says these plans constitute a real-terms pay cut, and would see workers receive a 4 per cent rise to their wage, with a further increase of 2 per cent later this year.
Stuart Gilhespy, a GMB organiser, has said workers' have raised concerns about their family passes, safety worries regarding today's bus service, and potential striking repurcussions.
A Stagecoach spokesperson has denied the allegations and said they are "without foundation."
Read more: Affected Stagecoach bus services as Sunderland workers to strike
When speaking on the situation, Mr Gilhespy said: "Stagecoach have failed to put any other offer on the table than the one they started out with in June.
“They keep telling everyone they should be happy because everybody else has accepted it in the North East, and that’s certainly not the case.
“Our drivers are going on strike because the pay deal will still see them struggling in the cost of living crisis, and with rising energy bills it’s not going to help them at all.
“That’s why the drivers rejected [it] in the first place.
"It's terrible, absolutely terrible.
“They’ve failed to negotiate, they’ve been telling everyone that they’ve left no stone unturned, and they haven’t done anything."
Union members have been outside the firm’s depot in North Bridge Street, Monkwearmouth, picketing since early Tuesday morning.
Mr Gilhespy believes Stagecoach have handled the situation regarding bus drivers' pay terribly and claimed they have failed to properly negotiate with drivers since June.
He said after issuing a five-day notice of their industrial action the only correspondence he received from the company were questions regarding the picket line.
Mr Gilhespy explained workers are struggling with the cost of living crisis and rising inflation levels, and this has forced some to use foodbanks.
He said it is unacceptable for people to have to use foodbanks at all, let alone when in full-time work.
He said workers are asking for £14.06 an hour, and are currently earning £12.23 an hour.
GMB Union have said wages are not keeping up with the level of inflation, and that this wage rise would serve as real-terms pay cut.
Mr Gilhespy said this was "just not enough" and workers would continue to struggle under these plans.
He also thanked the people of Sunderland for the "great" support shown to bus drivers at today's and yesterday's protest.
GMB Union claim family passes have been pulled from workers during the walkout, leaving their children unable to get to school and college, and family members unable to get to work or the shops.
Mr Gilhespy said: "This is a petty, vindictive move, plain and simple.
“These bus drivers are just trying to win themselves a decent wage, to help them make ends meet during the cost of living crisis.
“Instead of negotiating, Stagecoach is targeting parents and children in a bid to undermine the strike. It's outrageous."
A real terms pay cut constitutes wage increases which are below the level of inflation, as prices rise faster than yearly wage rises.
This strike will take place over the course of the week and will end on Saturday, 15 October.
A Stagecoach spokesperson, in a statement, said: "These claims are without foundation and an attempt to divert attention from the fact there is no justification for current strike action.
"Safety is always our absolute priority and our services are only delivered by individuals with the required bus driving qualification and training.
"We have reached pay agreements with other 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 would make our people amongst the highest paid of any bus drivers in the region.
"Instead of wasting time on invented claims, we would urge the union to return to talks so we can resolve this dispute, deliver a good pay rise for our employees, and restore bus services to our local communities."
Meanwhile, local businesses such as the Saints and Sinners cafe and The Wheatsheaf pub have given out hot drinks and food to those striking, which Mr Gilhespy said they are all grateful for.
Steve Hansom, Sunderland Trades Union Council secretary, said: "It's great to be down here, we're just down her [for] the demonstration, not the picket line, to support them.
"We're fully behind their pay claim, and we're fully behind what they're fighting for.
"These lads and lasses have been out during the pandemic, many of them [bus drivers] have become sick as a result of it.
"Many of them have risked their lives and we've clapped them on a Thursday night, and now we've got to pay them."
Billy, who works for Stagecoach in Sunderland and was striking today, said: "Interest rates are going up, mortgage rates are going up, a lot of drivers are having to use foodbanks now to feed their family.
"All they care about is the wheels turning, they don't care about us. That is why we won't go back until this is sorted, we won't give in."
Read more: Rail strikes set to cause disruption in North East
In a statement on Monday, a spokesperson for Stagecoach said: “So we can continue to offer links for our local communities, we will be operating a more limited service on the affected days, with buses crewed by volunteers.
"During the dates of strike action, all pre-paid customer tickets will also be accepted for travel on Tyne and Wear Metro within the affected areas.
"We have made what we consider to be a fair and reasonable offer to GMB regarding the pay dispute, and we remain committed to working constructively with officials to deliver pay proposals that are fair to our people, and which also ensure the long-term sustainability of the bus network for local communities.
"Stagecoach apologises for any inconvenience this industrial action may cause.”
Read next:
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here