National Express (UNITE) Strike Calendar

All out indefinite strike action by more than 3,100 National Express West Midland’s bus drivers will begin at 00:01 hrs on Monday 20 March. The workers voted by 71 per cent against a deal put forward by the company in a ballot held over Friday and Saturday.

The Unite union, which suspended action earlier in the week to allow members to vote on a new pay offer, took the decision after accusing the company of refusing to allow a workplace ballot.

National Express West Midlands said Unite was guilty of an "outrageous and calculating misrepresentation of what has happened".

Strike action has been suspended due to the company making an offer and an improved offer being made. If the offer is not accepted, there will be strike action on Monday 20th March at 00:01 hours.

The workers, who voted by 96% for industrial action, will begin all out continuous strike action on Thursday, March 16. The strikes will severely impact National Express West Midlands’ services, which cover 93% of the region’s bus network.

• Around 200 National Express engineers in West Midlands have voted 93% to strike over pay.
• Engineers are responsible for maintaining 1,200 vehicles that cover 93% of the region's bus network.
• 3,000 bus drivers, who are also being balloted for industrial action, may join the strike.
• Engineers rejected a pay offer of 10.1% from National Express, which made £15.8 million in profits during the first half of 2022.
• Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “National Express needs to improve their unacceptable pay offer.”
• Dates for the industrial action will be announced in the coming weeks.
• Strikes will severely affect National Express services in Birmingham, Walsall, Wolverhampton, Coventry, West Bromwich and elsewhere.
• Impact will worsen if drivers, who have rejected an eight per cent pay offer, also vote for industrial action.