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Hundreds of Stagecoach bus drivers across Kent could strike over pay at the same time as services are being cancelled because of staff shortages.
Union reps at Unite – which represents drivers across Thanet, Herne Bay, Canterbury and Folkestone – are warning there could be walkouts if talks with the bus operator break down.
They are demanding the company gives its staff a pay increase for 2021, and insist they want to "have a constructive dialogue" with the firm to resolve the issue.
This comes as Stagecoach staff shortages in Kent have resulted in commuters experiencing severe delays and cancellations to journeys in recent weeks.
Unite regional officer Dave Weeks said: “There is a dispute brewing about pay that affects more than 500 drivers working out of five Stagecoach South East depots, including Thanet, Herne Bay, Canterbury and Folkestone.
“We want to have a constructive dialogue with the management to resolve the issues that relate to a pay increase for 2021.
“If we can’t reach a settlement, a ballot for industrial action is very much on the cards.”
Staff shortages have also forced Statecoach to contract some of its services out to Ensignbus.
One school in Canterbury - Simon Langton Girls' - was told today that a number of routes will be taken on by the Essex firm, likely until the October half-term.
Towards the end of last month, KentOnline also reported that the bus operator was warning Thanet residents that its vehicles are running massively behind schedule as it had “no drivers”.
Canterbury commuter Tina Cawley says the troubles have meant she has to leave her home at the London Road estate just before 7.10am each day to get to work at the University of Kent for 9am.
“This has been going on for over a month now,” the 64-year-old explained.
"We’re doing all we can to keep services running whilst we recruit more people..."
“They keep cancelling the buses or they just don’t turn up."
Responding to concerns surrounding drivers’ pay, a spokesman for Stagecoach insists the operator is “committed to offering good packages for our people”.
He says their pay reflects local economic conditions, the varying costs of running services and the level of passenger journeys.
“Our joint focus right now is on protecting the long-term sustainability of services for the local community and we very much remain open to continuing discussions with the drivers' union,” the spokesman added.
“We are continuing to run the majority of services in the area, but on a day-to-day basis there are some bus journeys that we're not able to operate.
“The combined impact of Covid-19 and Brexit, in combination with the rebounding economy and competitive jobs market, has created a tough environment for retaining and recruiting when there are record numbers of unfilled jobs in the economy.
“Added to this, the DVLA is taking longer to process passenger-carrying vehicle driving licences, and this is having an effect on our operation and the phasing of people joining us.
"We are sorry for the impact these wider issues are having on our customers. However, we are seeing strong demand for jobs with us, including driving roles, and we’re doing all we can to keep services running while we recruit more people."
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