Brighton Bus Company strike cancelled after pay deal agreed.

More than a thousand bus workers’ planned strike has been called off.

Unite union members working for Brighton and Hove Buses, Crawley Metrobus, and the Copthorne depot planned to strike on Mondays, October 6 and 13.

The strike was called off after the workers agreed to accept a new pay arrangement with the Brighton Bus Company. Following a decision by Unite union members to take industrial action, the corporation changed its offer.

The agreement includes a 5.2% overall wage raise, while employees at the Copthorne depot would receive a 7% boost, retroactively, with sick pay added at 67%. Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary, said: “I’m glad our members have earned a pay increase that is nothing more than they deserve.

“They were prepared to go to the picket line and stand steady in their demands until they received an acceptable offer. This demonstrates, once again, that Unite is the winning union.”

The Brighton Bus Company and Crawley Metrobus are owned by the Newcastle-based Go Ahead Group.

Janet Nobbs, Unite’s regional officer, stated, “Our members have an extremely difficult job, driving at all hours of the day and night, in all weather conditions throughout the year. “They keep Brighton and Crawley’s employees and students moving.

“This pay award is absolutely deserved in the face of a cost of living crisis and I’m really pleased to see our members win this dispute.” She went further:

“But there remain significant issues with management practices at Brighton Bus Company that need addressing and Unite will be holding its feet to the fire in the coming weeks and months as we stand up for our members’ rights.”

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