Arriva Newcastle and Northumberland strikes off after Unite secures 12% pay rise
More than 300 Arriva bus drivers and engineers in Newcastle and Northumberland have secured a one year pay deal worth 11.9 per cent, Unite, the UK’s leading union, said today (Friday).
An improved pay offer was put forward by Arriva after the workers voted overwhelmingly for industrial action. The possibility of strike action at Arriva across the region has now ended after the workers accepted the deal.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Arriva’s drivers and engineers in Newcastle and Northumberland achieved an excellent deal by showing the company they were willing to take industrial action to secure a fair pay rise.
“Once again, Unite’s renewed and laser-like attention to improving jobs, pay and conditions has paid off for our members.”
The drivers and engineers are based at the Ashington, Blyth and Walkergate (Newcastle) depots.
Unite regional officer Dave Telford said: “The pay deal secured at Arriva is a prime example of why workers who want improve their wages and working lives should join Unite and get their colleagues to join too.”