Bus drivers from Arriva depots across Merseyside and the North West are set to walk out on strike later this month over what has been labelled a 'pitiful' pay offer.
Around 1,800 workers for the bus operator have returned a 96% yes vote in favour of strike action. The Unite union says that unless Arriva drastically improves its offer then the first region-wide strike will take place on Wednesday July 20. Stagecoach bus drivers in Liverpool are also planning another strike on the same day, meaning the city region could face severe disruption to its bus services on that day.
Unite says its members are striking over a 'pitiful' pay offer from the German-owned transport giant of just 3% with no strings attached, or 6% which included reductions in sick pay and loss of Saturday enhanced pay. The union has pointed out that both the offers are far below the current real inflation rate (RPI) of 11.7% and so constitute a real terms pay cut.
READ MORE: Steve Rotheram, Andy Burnham and other Labour mayors back striking workers
The depots involved in the dispute are: Birkenhead, Bolton, Bootle, Liverpool, Macclesfield, Manchester, Runcorn, Southport, Speke, St Helens, and Winsford. Pay rates for bus drivers differ between the various depots but the union cited that drivers at Winsford, for example, are paid just £11.08 an hour. The GMB union is also involved in the industrial dispute.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This dispute is entirely of Arriva’s own making. It can fully afford to ensure its workers receive decent pay and conditions. Instead, Arriva has made our members a pitiful offer.
"Not only do they want workers to accept a real terms pay cut, they also want them to sacrifice their sick pay. This is just not acceptable. Unite will back these members to the hilt until this dispute is resolved and they receive a decent pay increase.”
Unite regional officer Dave Roberts said: “The forthcoming strike action is set to cause widespread disruption to bus services throughout the North West. However, this dispute is all about greed not need. Arriva could make its workers a decent offer but it chose not to. Even now strikes can be avoided if Arriva made an offer which meets members’ expectations and returns to the negotiating table.”
In response, a spokesperson for Arriva said: "Further discussions with our trade union partners, Unite & GMB, are being held later this week. We remain focused on offering a fair and affordable pay deal which is reflective of our Unions aspirations as well as ensuring our vital bus services and networks are sustainable across the Liverpool City Region. We will update when there’s news."
READ MORE:
Violence, racism and fear in 'lawless' area of north Liverpool
Family kicked out of mum's home just 10 days after she died
'Heartless' thief stole from elderly women as they shopped at Aldi
Steve Rotheram, Andy Burnham and other Labour mayors back striking workers
