A PLANNED strike by bus workers has been postponed after new pay offers were made.

The union Unite said strike action at Stagecoach’s Hastings depot has been postponed to allow drivers to vote on an offer of 5.8 per cent increase in pay.

Strike action at Stagecoach’s Herne Bay and Folkestone depots has also been cancelled after drivers voted to accept 5.7 per cent and 6.5 per cent pay deals respectively.

The pay offers were made to more than 250 drivers across Sussex and Kent.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “By standing together, our members have secured much better pay offers from the company.

“Unite’s sole focus now is to fight to defend our members’ jobs, pay and conditions. As these Stagecoach deals show, this is beginning to make a real difference.”

The strikes were due to take place on November 12, 15, 19, 22 and 26 as well as December 3 and 6.

Earlier this month, Unite warned the public that bus services in Sussex faced severe disruption across autumn and winter amid the walkout.

Drivers across the three depots recorded an overwhelming yes vote in favour of strike action.

Ms Graham previously said: “Low pay is the scourge of the bus industry right across this country. Stagecoach made profits touching £60 million last year and has £875 million in the bank. Yet it cannot make a decent offer to its staff.

“Unite will be relentless in its campaign to ensure that our members at Stagecoach receive a fair pay increase.”

Drivers are on different rates of pay at each depot, ranging from £11.10 to £11.67 per hour.

They have previously rejected offers ranging from 2.1 per cent to 4.3 per cent, with each depot being offered a different deal.

Unite regional officer Dave Weeks said: “Bus workers were rightly hailed as heroes during successive lockdowns.

“However, warm words do not pay the bills and Stagecoach needs to reward its workers' dedication with a decent pay award.”