Overview

• The strike planned for Thursday, 21 August has been suspended after Stagecoach North East tabled an improved pay deal, with a member ballot to follow.
• Unite has warned that indefinite strike action will start on 31 August if members reject the revised offer.
• Industrial action began on 18 August at the Slatyford and Walkergate depots, cutting frequencies to 30–60 minutes and causing queues in Newcastle city centre.
• Workers previously rejected a deal worth 3.3% backdated to April plus a further 1.7% from January 2026, saying it failed to deliver pay parity.
• Stagecoach says its latest proposal amounts to a 5% rise over the year, calls it above inflation, and is operating a limited timetable using volunteers and drivers from other operators.