A significant victory for public transport workers has been achieved as Unite the union successfully negotiated a substantial pay increase for approximately 200 Stagecoach drivers across the Highlands and Islands region.
The comprehensive package, which takes effect from July 2024, delivers an initial basic pay rise of 7.5 per cent, complemented by enhanced overtime rates that could push some drivers’ total earnings into double-digit growth.
Workers will see their overtime rates climb significantly, with an increase from £16.50 to £17.50 scheduled for the second year of the agreement, alongside a guaranteed minimum increase of either two per cent or the rate of inflation in July 2025.
The landmark deal establishes a new minimum hourly rate at three per cent above the real living wage, marking a substantial jump from £12.98 to £14.28 by July 2025 – representing an overall increase exceeding 10 per cent.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham hailed the agreement as another successful example of the union’s commitment to improving employment conditions across Scotland’s bus industry.
The breakthrough follows October’s overwhelming vote for strike action by union members, demonstrating the effectiveness of collective bargaining in securing improved terms for transport workers.
Stagecoach Highlands, operating vital services across Skye, Orkney, Inverness and surrounding areas, moved significantly from their initial position following robust negotiations backed by the strike mandate.
Unite industrial officer Marc Jackson emphasised that while industrial action was ultimately avoided, the dispute serves as a clear message about the importance of fair worker compensation.
The successful resolution demonstrates the growing influence of organised labour in securing improved conditions for transport workers across Scotland’s vital public services.
This agreement sets a notable precedent for future negotiations within Scotland’s transport sector, highlighting the importance of recognising and rewarding essential workers appropriately.
The deal’s structure, incorporating both immediate improvements and future safeguards, represents a comprehensive approach to addressing transport workers’ long-term financial security.
Transport users across the Highlands and Islands can now look forward to continued service delivery, backed by a workforce whose contribution has been meaningfully acknowledged through this significant pay settlement.
