HUNDREDS of bus drivers began a six week all-out strike at Stagecoach West of Scotland today as their long-running pay dispute escalates.

Workers had overwhelmingly rejected a 4 per cent pay offer made in November, after bosses attempted to tie the deal to an agreement for longer working hours, longer unpaid breaks and the loss of up to a week’s annual leave, their union Unite said.

Since then, Unite said the employer has failed to reconsider its offer, despite a ballot that returned a 98 vote for strike action on an 81 per cent turnout earlier this year.

A series of one day actions has already hit services run from depots in Ayr, Arran, Ardrossan and Kilmarnock.

But the company — which saw it profits more than double between 2023 and 2024 from £1.3m to £2.99m — has refused to up its offer, prompting the escalation to an all-out strike that will last until July 21.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Stagecoach West Scotland is taking our members for a ride because they are a profitable company. 

“The pay offer on the table leaves them the poorest paid drivers across Stagecoach’s UK operations. That is simply unacceptable.”

Industrial officer Siobhan McCready said: “The drivers do the same job as those in Dundee and Perth, and they should be treated with equal worth by Stagecoach.

“Unite’s door always remains open for negotiation, but there must be an improved pay offer.

“We have sympathy for the travelling public, but we hope they understand that any disruption is down to the greed and intransigence of Stagecoach’s management. 

“Unite’s membership is rock solid, and they remain resolute in getting a fairer offer from this profitable company.”

Stagecoach West of Scotland was contacted for comment.