Stagecoach asked to ‘think again’

Unite, Britain’s biggest union, will express concern at a meeting next week about the proposed closure of the Stagecoach bus depot in Dundee.

Bosses at the bus company have advised union officials that they plan to close the depot and move services elsewhere by the end of July. The move follows the recent withdrawal of the popular number 26 service in the city.

The start of an official consultation process will begin with a meeting between the company and the union next Thursday (5 May).

There are nearly 80 drivers, and in total a staff of 120 at the Dundee site.

Unite regional officer Dougie Maguire said: “Stagecoach officials have advised us that the Dundee Stagecoach depot will be closing in stages in the coming months. We seriously ask them to think again.

Serious concerns

 

“We have had serious concerns about the company’s strategy, highlighted by the loss of the number 26 service.

“Stagecoach may want to pause and consider what message it would be sending out if it does not have the confidence to have a base in a major Scottish city.

“Buses are a crucial part of the transport network. Many people rely on our drivers and support staff in Dundee, a city of close to 150,000 people.

 

Best service

“Our members want to deliver the best possible service and that would be made all the harder with the loss of this depot.

“From what we have been told the company do not expect to make any redundancies, rather the intention is to move the work to other areas around the east of Scotland.

“However transfers may not be the best solution for many workers given that this would involve extensive travelling or relocation.

“We are now in a period of consultation regarding the closure to see if we can find a solution and to ensure that we can look after our members as much as possible,” he added.