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From The Socialist newspaper, 19 January 2022
South Yorkshire Stagecoach strike results in "huge pay win"
Stagecoach strikers have won a pay rise. Photo: Alistair Tice (Click to enlarge)
Alistair Tice, Yorkshire Socialist Party
After three-and-a-half weeks of strike action, 560 Stagecoach bus workers across South Yorkshire have voted to accept what their Unite trade union has described as a "huge pay win" of over a £1-an-hour increase, amounting to a 10.7% rise.
In a two-year deal, workers at the Barnsley and Rotherham depots will go from £10.80 an hour to £11.91 in March, and at the two Sheffield depots from £10.50 to £11.60 an hour in May, and retain their Sunday and evening premium rates.
In May last year, Stagecoach management offered a derisory 1%. They didn't think that the drivers would strike. The Sheffield depots had never been on strike before. But inflation, labour shortages, and the example of other bus worker victories spurred the South Yorkshire workers into action. The strike was solid from day one, and more workers joined the union and the strike as it progressed. The pickets at all four depots were very big, and there was overwhelming public support.
Workers' confidence was expressed in strikers' comments like: "We've got them by the bollocks", and "we're in charge now". This victory has strengthened the union and undoubtedly been a factor in the other bus company in South Yorkshire, First, now offering a wage rise to £12 an hour without any strings in a one-year deal. This comes after the union branch there finally decided to hold an industrial action ballot after members had four times voted down attacks on terms and conditions.
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In The Socialist 19 January 2022:
What we think
News
No trust in Tories to keep us safe
Tories hand cash to private health profiteers
Tory vaccine sacking threat set to deepen NHS staffing crisis
Employers use vaccine excuse to attack sick pay
International news
Murder of Ashling Murphy sends shocks waves across Ireland and beyond
Northern Ireland: Workers fight threatened closure of women's hostel
US: Independent Socialist Group launches new paper
Eyewitness account of workers' uprising in Almaty, Kazakhstan
Public services
Mutual aid, the welfare state and the fight for a new mass workers' party
Marxist classics
Why are things the way they are?
Rob Windsor
Rob Windsor - remembering a tireless fighter for socialism
Theatre
Workplace news
Sheffield Just Eat couriers speak about strike
S Yorks Stagecoach strike results in "huge pay win"
Scunthorpe scaffs resume indefinite strike action
Bus driver Tracey Scholes reinstated at Go North West
Royal Mail: Unofficial walkouts precede bigger battle to come on pay and workload
Newham college strike solid against bully privatisers
Somers Forge workers continue pay strike
Campaigns
NUS walkout: Organise to fight for free education on 2 March
Demonstrating against the Tory anti-protest bill
Waltham Forest: Campaign unites families facing eviction
Newham council rejects using 0.03% of reserves to fund arts
Birmingham: Cuts consultations replaced by computer game
Southampton uni ignores staff and students in exam farce
Oliver Campbell - 31 years fighting for justice
Bournemouth - angry people not represented by capitalist parties
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