Picket lines and parked up buses were on show at Arriva's main depot in Liverpool today as the first day of a major, continuous strike got underway.
A large demonstration was in place at the Arriva city headquarters in Green Lane, Old Swan. Strikers carrying Unite and GMB union signs could be seen in front of rows of parked buses.
The dispute means that there will be no Arriva buses running throughout Merseyside today. As this is a continuous strike, that will be the case for all subsequent days until a resolution is found between the company and the unions. Talks over a pay deal broke down last week.
READ MORE: No Arriva buses across Merseyside as continuous strike begins
During the industrial action there will be no planned Arriva bus services operating within Merseyside, Greater Manchester, Lancashire or Cheshire, except for local Macclesfield services which will all run with the exception of service 38. For the duration of the industrial action journey planning in the north west region on the Arriva website and Arriva UK Bus App will be disabled. Arriva customers with pre-paid tickets travelling in Cheshire will be able to use them on buses operated by D&G Buses.
The special Liverpool Clatterbridge Hospital Shuttle service will also continue to operate during this time. Arriva customers with pre-paid tickets travelling in Cheshire will be able to use them on buses operated by D&G Buses.
Howard Farrall, North West & Wales Area Operating Director for Arriva UK Bus said: “We are very disappointed that we were unable to reach an agreement with Unite and GMB, who have confirmed they plan to hold a strike for an indefinite period across services in the North West from 2am Wednesday July 20. Our people play a hugely important role keeping Merseyside moving and they fully deserve a fair pay rise – especially with the cost-of-living increasing so much.
"It’s why despite the significant pressures on the bus sector with increasing costs and passenger numbers still at below pre-pandemic levels, we have offered our people a generous pay rise of 8.5% - an increase far higher than most workers are receiving from their employers at a time of considerable economic pressure."
Arriva claims the offer would see its bus drivers in Merseyside receive an hourly rate of £14.67, which it says would be the highest rate of major operators in the north west and an offer higher than Unite has recommended for approval with another operator in the Liverpool City Region.
Unite pointed out that the other operator mentioned was Stagecoach and that planned strikes with that company were only called off after an offer of over 11% pay deal was agreed. Unite regional officer Dave Roberts said: "Arriva bus workers play a crucial role in keeping the North West moving.
"This dispute has been fermenting for years as bus drivers have seen their hard work taken for granted and rates of pay steadily eroded.
"Unite remains committed to resolving the dispute at the earliest possible opportunity and it will embark on fresh negotiations any time, any place and anywhere, provided Arriva is prepared to make an improved offer."
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