Stagecoach cancels driver holidays in union dispute

A union has threatened legal action against Stagecoach after it cancelled bus drivers' holiday dates during planned strikes.

Unite union members in the south and west of Scotland are set to walk out for seven days over three weeks in May in a dispute over pay.

The union said it was "deeply disappointed" and described as a "significant escalation". It is seeking a High Court injunction against the firm.

Stagecoach said postponing annual leave was necessary due to increasing staff sickness levels and to provide "dependable services to customers".

BBC Scotland News has seen a letter sent to a Stagecoach employee informing them that two weeks of agreed holiday in May has been cancelled.

It said the leave dates would be rescheduled "at a time that can be accommodated by the operational needs of the business".

The letter also said failure to attend work could be considered gross misconduct and "may lead to disciplinary action".

Unite's industrial officer Siobhan McCready said: "All previously agreed annual leave for drivers has been cancelled with immediate effect by Stagecoach West Scotland.

"Family holidays booked for the next few weeks will be impacted, but so will attending hospital appointments and taking family to these appointments.

"This is significant escalation taken by the company when they should be working with Unite to put a fairer pay offer on the table to resolve the dispute."

Unite said the 4% pay offer to its 500 members - operating out of depots in Ayr, Arran, Ardrossan, Dumfries, Kilmarnock and Stranraer - was "unacceptable".

But Stagecoach said it would increase hourly rates by more than 15% over two years, following a previous two-year deal that saw basic pay increase by 13%.

Strike action is planned for 2, 6, 9, 12, 16, 19 and 23 May.

Stagecoach Scotland said drivers affected by the cancelled leave had been given "more notice than legally required".

A spokesperson said: "Due to increasing sickness levels and the importance of providing dependable services to our customers, it has been necessary to postpone holiday blocks.

"The company reserves the right to cancel leave to ensure it meets its service delivery obligations to keep the communities it serves connected."