The entire West Midlands transport network could come to a standstill later this month as over 3,300 bus staff strike indefinitely over pay.

National Express workers who are members of the union, Unite voted by 96 per cent for industrial action and will begin all out continuous strike action on Thursday 16 March - the same say rail staff walk out across the UK.

The union claims that National Express’ operating profits have more than doubled compared to the previous year. The company reported revenue increased by 29 per cent to £2.8 billion. Its underlying operating profits more than doubled to £197.3 million, fuelled by an increase in passenger demand across the group. 

Despite this, they say it has offered all of its workers in the West Midlands, where it holds a monopoly on local bus services, a real terms pay cut. However National Express claim they made an offer of a 13.4% increase which they claim the union rejected. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: 

“National Express is sitting on mountains of cash and can absolutely afford to give a pay rise to its staff that reflects rocketing living costs. It needs to do just that.

“Unite defends our members jobs, pay and conditions to the hilt and the National Express workforce has their union’s total and unflinching support during these strikes.” 

The strikes will severely impact National Express West Midlands’ services, which cover 93 per cent of the region’s bus network, including in Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Coventry, Walsall, Dudley and West Bromwich.

The action will not affect National Express coach services.