The strike was due to take place today, involving 120 Unite members in the south-east region. David Weeks, Unite regional industrial officer, said: "Our members have accepted this offer reluctantly due to their own financial position. No-one can afford to lose money at this time of year and the offer accepted involved back pay of at least 400 per driver. "Although this begins to close the gap, there is still a significant disparity in pay between Stagecoach drivers and other bus companies." The offer consisted of an 8.5 per cent increase over two years, starting with 6.5 per cent backdated to the beginning of July and the rest coming in January 2010.