Bus workers to strike in Brighton & Hove, Crawley and Gatwick

More than 1,000 bus workers on services in Brighton, Hove, Crawley and Gatwick Airport have voted to strike over pay.

Unite members at Brighton & Hove Buses and the Metrobus Crawley company, owned by the Go-Ahead Group, rejected a pay offer of 3.5%, which the union’s general secretary Sharon Graham said was “insulting”.

Strike action, agreed in a ballot of 1,300 workers, is expected to take place on 6 and 15 October.

Ed Wills, managing director for Brighton & Hove and Metrobus, said two pay increases had been offered since July.

Ms Graham said: “This is an insulting pay offer – our members aren’t asking for a King’s ransom.

“Our members have Unite’s unwavering support in their campaign for a fair pay deal.”

Unite regional officer Janet Nobbs said: “Our members do an incredibly stressful job, driving at all times of day and night, in all weathers throughout the year.

“They keep Brighton and Crawley’s workers and students moving. Yet the company has seen fit to try to impose a real terms pay cut which is simply unacceptable.

“Unless the company comes back to the table with a dramatically improved offer our members will have been left with no option but to take strike action.”

She accused the company of a “penny-pinching approach to workforce relations”.

Mr Wills said in the most recent negotiation, the company had offered a 4.6% pay increase, alongside back pay of 5% to 1 July.

“This is higher or equal to all current measures of inflation,” he added.

“We are keen to ensure our team receive a pay increase this year. This 4.6% offer would equate to 33.5% increase in our driver rates over four years.

“Currently drivers earn on average £36,000 in Brighton & Hove and £38,000 in Crawley after six weeks and before this latest offer is applied.”