Indefinite strikes which will impact more than 90% of buses in the West Midlands will go ahead from Monday after drivers rejected an offer of a 14.3% pay increase from National Express West Midlands.

More than 3,000 members of the Unite union will walk out on Monday for indefinite strike action – which will continue until the situation is resolved.

They voted by 71 per cent against a deal put forward by the company in a ballot held over Friday and Saturday. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: 

“National Express is an extremely wealthy company and makes considerable profits from the hard work of our members, who are not paid enough for the difficult and stressful job they do. The company must come back with an offer our members can accept. 

“Unite’s top priority is defending and improving our members’ jobs, pay and conditions and National Express’ workforce have their union’s full support during these strikes.”

The result will severely decimate around 93 per cent of the bus network and will impact Wolverhampton, Walsall, Dudley, Sandwell, Birmingham and elsewhere. However it is understood bus routes used by people to get to hospitals in the region will be maintained.