East Coast Buses drivers to go on strike over pay offer

Employees at East Coast Buses, which operates services in East Lothian, have voted in favour of industrial action.

The strike will begin on Friday and continue for a week.

About 130 drivers were involved in an industrial action ballot between July 10 and 24; after turning down a pay offer of 10.3 per cent, the East Coast Buses employees voted for strike action.

East Coast Buses notified customers of the walk-out in a statement, saying that they were continuing to work with Unite “in the hope of reaching a resolution and avoiding industrial action”.

A spokesperson for Unite confirmed that “negotiations are ongoing”.

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The strike will impact on local services and major events such as the Edinburgh Festival, Fringe by the Sea and the Oasis concert at Murrayfield Stadium. 

East Coast Buses added that they were doing “everything we can” to avoid travel disruption.

Their statement reads: “We are extremely disappointed that despite continuing constructive and positive discussions with Unite that resulted in an overall offer of 10.3 per cent, its members at East Coast Buses have now voted in support of industrial action.

“Over the last four years, we have continued to work with Unite, resulting in a 56 per cent increase in hourly rates, which is further enhanced by significant improvements to terms and conditions.

“We remain absolutely committed to continuing to work with Unite in the hope of reaching a resolution and avoiding industrial action.

“We would like to take this opportunity to reassure our customers that we are doing everything we can to avoid potential disruption to travel.”