Stagecoach welcomes positive discussions with unions in Mansfield and Worksop pay talks

• Planned union industrial action has been postponed
• New pay proposals to be put to vote with union recommendation to accept
• Stagecoach “100% committed to reaching a sensible and sustainable agreement”

Stagecoach East Midlands welcomed “positive discussions” with the RMT union in pay talks on 13 October covering employees based in Mansfield and Worksop.

The RMT union has confirmed that planned industrial action by members in Mansfield and Worksop planned for Monday 18 October has now been suspended and bus services will be able to operate as planned.

New improved pay proposals put forward by Stagecoach are to be voted on by employees with a union recommendation to accept.

Matt Cranwell, Managing Director for Stagecoach East Midlands, said: “We're very proud of our team, who do a fantastic job in delivering vital transport connections for local people. 

“We have had very positive discussions with the RMT today, and are pleased to have reached an agreement with the union that provides a fair deal for our employees in Mansfield and Worksop, and helps to secure the long-term sustainability of the local bus network for our local communities.

“We have been 100% committed to reaching a sensible and sustainable agreement, and we have left no stone unturned to achieve that. 

"We remain focused on delivering the best service possible to our customers at a time when there are challenges facing bus networks across the country as a result of the pandemic and other factors outside our control."

Bus services are facing a continuing challenging financial environment with passenger levels significantly down on pre-Covid levels. Fares are insufficient to cover the day-to-day costs of running services without government support.