Stagecoach have confirmed that South Yorkshire bus drivers will undertake another week of strikes after negotiations broke down between the company and its employees.

The previous strikes started on 28 November and were intended to last an entire week.

However, the initials strikes were extended because of further disagreement over pay from both bus drivers and engineers.

As a result, from 11 December until 17 December, the strikes will impact services in Barnsley, Rotherham, Dearne Valley and West Yorkshire, with services in these areas resuming on Saturday 18th December.

In Sheffield, services will be affected from 12 December until 18 December.

During the strike action (12/12/21-18/12/21), the following services will run on a reduced service:

1 – High Green – Batemoor (Monday to Friday)

57 – Sheffield – Stocksbridge (Monday to Friday)

25 – Woodhouse – City Centre – Bradway (Monday to Saturday)

120 – Halfway – Crystal Peaks (Monday to Saturday)

Phil Medlicott, Managing Director for Stagecoach Yorkshire, said: “We can now confirm that the latest pay offer has been rejected and further strike action will take place starting this weekend.

“We have worked tirelessly to protect the jobs of our people during the pandemic, and we are also leaving no stone unturned in our current pay discussions with Unite. We believe our people should be properly rewarded and at the same time the long-term sustainability of the bus network for local communities should be protected.”

Mr Medlicott bemoaned the lack of cooperation from the opposing side: “There needs to be flexibility on both sides. We have now made several different above inflation offers, so it is frustrating that there has not been the same approach from union representatives.”