Stagecoach Merseyside statement on Unite pay deal ballot result

Matt Davies, Managing Director for Stagecoach Merseyside, said: "Despite more than 100 of our employees - a third of our workforce - voting for our significant pay offer, we are disappointed that it has been rejected. This is the second time that a deal recommended by the Unite union has not been taken forward.

"We have offered a deal to our employees at Gillmoss that would see pay increased from Sunday by 10.3%, which we're sure most members of the public would agree is a reasonable offer in these difficult times.

"We are committed to offering good pay packages for our people and remain open for talks with Unite. However, at the same time we have to think about the future of the bus network and the implications that higher pay demands have on the cost and scope of the services we can offer the local community.

"We're sorry that our passengers will be inconvenienced by unnecessary strike action. The planned strike action by Unite now means that services will be disrupted on Monday 4 July. Bus services which operate into Liverpool from the Wirral and Southport and Preston will be unaffected.

"More information about the services available will be published on our website stagecoachbus.com."

ENDS