Highland and Orkney bus drivers could strike over pay

Image source, Getty Images

Image caption, Unite said it had balloted Inverness-based drivers on strike action

Stagecoach bus drivers in the Highlands and Orkney are being balloted on strike action in a dispute over pay.

Unite said about 120 of its members managed from Inverness had rejected a pay offer from the transport company.

The union said strike action could take place from early November and affect services in and around Inverness, also Skye, Ullapool and Orkney.

Stagecoach said it was having ongoing discussions with Unite and was committed to reaching a fair deal.

Unite said drivers had been offered a 4% increase from July with a further 2.5% rise from January next year.

This would then followed by a 3% increase from July 2025 for one year.

General secretary Sharon Graham said: "Stagecoach in the Scottish Highlands is guilty of stockpiling money while making a pay offer that simply doesn鈥檛 reflect our members' hard work.

"We will back our Stagecoach members all the way in their fight for better jobs, pay and conditions."

A Stagecoach Highlands spokesperson said: "We are aware of Unite's ballot on strike action in the Highlands, and we are still in ongoing discussions with the union.

"We remain committed to reaching a fair deal for our team across the region and value the contribution of all our people."