Strike action on bus network in Sutherland and the rest of the Highlands avoided as agreement reached between Stagecoach and Unite union
Strike action on the Highland bus network has been avoided following an agreement in a pay dispute.
Stagecoach workers have agreed to the resolution and bosses have confirmed they reached an agreement with the Unite union.
The move brought to an end threats of industrial action across the region.
It will benefit staff in Thurso, Kirkwall, Inverness, Aviemore and Tain.
Details of the agreement are yet to be announced but operators are hoping it will safeguard the long-term sustainability of the bus network.
David Beaton, managing director for Stagecoach Highland, said he was pleased to have reached the agreement, which was overwhelmingly accepted by staff.
He described the agreement as a fair deal for the team and the announcement by Stagecoach was just seven days after workers backed calls for strike action in the ongoing dispute over unfair pay.
It affected around 1,000 members of staff, including drivers, engineering staff and office workers, who had called for a change to the offer.
Marc Jackson, Unite's industrial officer, said: “Unite can confirm that our members at Stagecoach based in the Highlands and Islands have accepted the offer put to them from the company."
He added that the deal which has been negotiated represented a "significant pay increase over two years".
Related article: Highland bus routes could be brought to a ‘halt’ in Stagecoach ballot
