More than a month of industrial action by Arriva bus drivers on Merseyside has finally come to an end after union members secured a “magnificent” pay deal.
After 29 days of walk-outs by members of Unite over pay, the union confirmed an agreement had been reached with Arriva and its drivers. More than 2,000 members agreed to accept an 11.1% pay offer, worth an additional average of £2,300 on the workers’ salaries, equal to an extra £55 per week.
Drivers were back on the road on Thursday morning following a fresh round of talks between both sides in which the new offer was put forward after weeks without reaching a breakthrough. A previous offer of 9.6 per cent had been overwhelmingly rejected by four in five of Unite members.
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Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary, said: “Our members stood strong for a month. They thoroughly deserve their magnificent victory.
“This is how Unite responds to the cost of living crisis, with a win that will put an extra £55 per week in our members’ wallets. Arriva North West’s German parent company could well afford to raise pay. We say to other employers, take note – where you can pay, you should do so.”
The dispute is now settled at all of the Arriva North West garages in Merseyside and the wider North West region including Southport, Bootle, Green Lane, St Helens, Speke, Runcorn, Bolton, Wythenshawe, Winsford, Wirral and Macclesfield. Dave Roberts, Unite regional officer, said: “Our members made it abundantly clear from day one what it would take to settle this dispute.
“They stayed true to their demands even when the company refused to listen. Our members stood strong and achieved the outcome they deserved.
“The solidarity shown among the Unite members has been magnificent and an inspiration to all.” When the strikes were suspended earlier this week, Arriva North West said an “unprecedented” deal had been reached and thanked passengers for their patience during the “extremely challenging” industrial action.
A spokesperson for the company said today: “We are pleased to say that our latest pay offer has been accepted by Unite and GMB members, this means industrial action is now concluded and Arriva services will continue to operate as normal throughout the North West. The pay offer made is going to place challenges upon the sustainability of the network and we are focused on minimising that impact.”
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