Southampton Christmas chaos avoided as bus drivers cancel strike

GMB union members vote for a 7 per cent pay rise in time for the most expensive time of year

GMB, the union for Southampton bus drivers, can announce that its members have accepted a pay offer, cancelling any proposed strike action over Christmas.

Bus drivers working for Unilink were being balloted for strike action over the festive period, before the company tabled an improved pay deal which the union membership voted to accept.

The increased pay deal will see drivers earn £15 per hour normally and £20 per hour for overtime, an increase of 7.2 per cent, and will be backdated to 1 October.

Nicola Nixon, GMB Regional Organiser said:

“This pay deal comes at the perfect time for these struggling workers and their families.

“While this rise is not what GMB was demanding, the members have voted to bank the money at this expensive time of year.

“GMB will always listen to its members and they have decided that this pay rise is acceptable and that they need the money now.

“Our message to Unilink is they have narrowly avoided a Christmas shutdown this year, and they will be well advised to bear this in mind when offering a pay deal to this organised group of workers next year.”