West Midlands bus drivers in line for pay rise after 5 years

[dutchman]

Thousands of bus drivers across the West Midlands are in line for substantial pay increases of nearly £50 a week – if they stay behind the wheel for five years.



National Express drivers on standard pay scales who stood to lose out with the scrapping of eligibility for the top rate of £11.03p an hour have won the major new salary incentive.

Unite union, which agreed pay rises for 3,500 drivers of two-and-a-half per cent from today and two-and-a-half per cent from October 2013, has won a key victory over the reinstatement of the top ceiling for standard rate drivers.

The concession by the transport giant will vastly improve pay prospects for a ‘‘substantial’’ number of drivers in the region, according to Unite regional official John Partridge.

“We have now sorted the pay deal for the next two years, with two-and-a- half per cent from October 1, and two-and-a-half per cent from next October,’’ he said.

“In addition, there are improvements in sick pay for market rate drivers who were on inferior terms and conditions.’’