A STRIKE by more than 550 bus workers has been launched in south Yorkshire and is expected to hit the general return to work following the Christmas and new year break.

Stagecoach workers based at depots in Sheffield, Barnsley and Rotherham are on “indefinite” strike over pay, and pickets are in action.

Rotherham and Barnsley workers walked out on Saturday and Sheffield came out yesterday.

The action follows stoppages in November and December.

In 2020, the workers suffered a pay freeze and their union Unite says they face a “massive shortfall in their living standards.”

Unite regional officer Phil Bown said: “Our members are the lowest paid bus workers in the region. They rejected Stagecoach’s latest derisory pay offer by 97 per cent on a turnout of 90 per cent.

He said that the workers were “determined to end this pay injustice.”

Unite said that Stagecoach “remains extremely profitable” despite the Covid-19 pandemic.

In a statement accompanying Stagecoach’s half-yearly financial report in October, Stagecoach Group chief executive Martin Griffiths said: “We are pleased at the positive progress of the business as confidence in public transport returns and more customers use our bus, coach and tram services.

“This has been achieved as a result of the fantastic commitment of our front-line employees and management teams, combined with our strong partnerships with national and local government, and supportive public policy and investment.”

Stagecoach confirmed in a statement that the indefinite strike action will take place and that from January 4 a reduced service will be operating on weekdays.