DRIVERS on Stagecoach buses are to strike over pay, transport union RMT announced today.

The action on October 18 will hit Stagecoach services in England’s south-west, the East Midlands, Derbyshire and Yorkshire.

RMT said that its members had voted “massively” for strike action, a result that revealed “growing disgust among bus workers at being kicked in the teeth on pay while inflation and wages elsewhere are rising steeply.”

General secretary Mick Lynch accused the firm of “a sustained campaign of abuse and misinformation over the pay campaign pedalled by Stagecoach managers which has already led to ‎members of the public confronting bus staff at the sharp end.”

He added: “It’s well established now that we are facing a national shortage of bus drivers as staff leave over poor pay and conditions.

“RMT is fighting for professional wages for professional bus workers and our members are leading that charge right across the country now‎.”

Stagecoach accused the union of making “unrealistic and unaffordable” demands.

A company spokesperson said: “We very much remain open to continuing discussions with the union and would urge them to return to talks.”