Arriva bus strikes BACK on affecting Selby and York depots

It's after Unite members rejected a revised pay off

Author: May NormanPublished 13th Jul 2022

A long-running strike on Arriva buses in Yorkshire is back on this morning (Wednesday, 13 July) after workers voted to reject a new pay deal.

Union members walked out for four weeks last month (June) - affecting depots in Selby and York.

That was paused while voting on a new deal took place - but that's been thrown out - with industrial action resuming at 2am today.

Arriva say it's "appalling" the strike has been resumed at such short notice.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Our members have rejected Arriva’s offer – it must come back with an improved one. As part of a global transport giant, it can afford to do so.

“Tensions have needlessly been raised by Arriva’s management meddling during the ballot. The company’s actions have severely backfired. It is entirely Arriva’s own fault that the strikes are back on.”

The workers began strike action on 6 June over pay.

Unite claims bus workers are struggling to make ends meet amid the cost of living crisis.

Strike action was suspended on 30 June to allow the Unite’s members to vote on the new offer from Arriva.

Following the deal’s rejection, all out continuous strikes will begin again at 2am today (Wednesday, 13 July).

Unite regional officer Phil Brown said: “Strike action was suspended in good faith to allow our members to vote on Arriva’s new offer. Since then, Arriva’s management has gone out of its way to destroy any goodwill by interfering during the ballot, which is completely unacceptable.

“Our members want to get back to work, but that requires Arriva to put forward a new offer and for the company to leave the workforce alone while they consider it.”

A spokesperson for Arriva UK Bus said: "For Unite to call this indefinite strike in Yorkshire with just hours’ notice is appalling. Customers who will be relying on buses to travel will be seriously inconvenienced with no warning provided. And for such damaging action to be taken when half of the drivers have not voted to support returning to strike action is shocking."

"We are deeply frustrated on behalf of all our customers and the communities we serve for the disruption they face.

"Following extensive negotiations, we have already put forward a fair and generous offer which helps address the cost of living challenge, despite passenger numbers being lower than before the pandemic."

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