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A union has threatened legal action against Stagecoach after it cancelled bus drivers’ holiday dates during planned strikes.<\/p>\n
Unite union members in the south and west of Scotland are set to walk out for seven days over three weeks in May in a dispute over pay.<\/p>\n
The union said it was “deeply disappointed” and described as a “significant escalation”. It is seeking a High Court injunction against the firm.<\/p>\n
Stagecoach said postponing annual leave was necessary due to increasing sickness levels and to provide “dependable services to customers”.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
BBC Scotland News has seen a letter sent to a Stagecoach employee informing them that two weeks of agreed holiday in May has been cancelled. <\/p>\n
It said the leave dates would be rescheduled “at a time that can be accommodated by the operational needs of the business”.<\/p>\n
The letter also said failure to attend work could be considered gross misconduct and “may lead to disciplinary action”.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Unite’s industrial officer Siobhan McCready said: “All previously agreed annual leave for drivers has been cancelled with immediate effect by Stagecoach West Scotland. <\/p>\n
“Family holidays booked for the next few weeks will be impacted, but so will attending hospital appointments and taking family to these appointments. <\/p>\n
“This is significant escalation taken by the company when they should be working with Unite to put a fairer pay offer on the table to resolve the dispute.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Unite said the 4% pay offer to its 500 members – operating out of depots in Ayr, Arran, Ardrossan, Dumfries, Kilmarnock and Stranraer – was “unacceptable”.<\/p>\n
But Stagecoach said it would increase hourly rates by more than 15% over two years, following a previous two-year deal that saw basic pay increase by 13%.<\/p>\n
Strike action is planned for 2, 6, 9, 12, 16, 19 and 23 May.<\/p>\n
Stagecoach Scotland said drivers affected by the cancelled leave had been given “more notice than legally required”. <\/p>\n
A spokesperson said: “Due to increasing sickness levels and the importance of providing dependable services to our customers, it has been necessary to postpone holiday blocks.<\/p>\n
“The company reserves the right to cancel leave to ensure it meets its service delivery obligations to keep the communities it serves connected.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n