Most National Express Group PLC (LSE:NEX) workers in the West Midlands will strike indefinitely from next Monday, 20 March, union Unite said today.
The FTSE 250-listed transport company had “refused” to allow drivers to vote on its latest pay offer at work, said Unite, which accused the company of “union busting".
National Express lashed back, arguing Unite was portraying an “outrageous and calculating misrepresentation of what has happened”.
Unite had suspended strikes to allow members to vote on a new pay deal but suggested it would likely be rejected due to it tying workers in for three years.
Some 93% of the area's workforce, or 3,100 people, will walk out from Monday as a result of the spat, which erupted earlier this month as National Express recorded a £145.9mln pre-tax profit and reinstated its dividend at 5p per share.
“Refusing to allow a depot-based ballot [means] that the offer cannot be voted on and action will go ahead on Monday,” Unite lead national officer Onay Kasab said
“Moreover, the deal has more strings attached than a grand piano. If the company wants Unite to recommend a deal, then it needs to table an offer we know our members will accept. The company can more than afford to do that.”
National Express shares fell 6% to 120.6p.