Arriva bus drivers to stage further strike action across the North West
Workers will walk out every Monday in November.
Unions have called a further five days of strike action on Arriva buses in the North West after talks to resolve a dispute over pay fell through.
No planned services will run in Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Lancashire or Merseyside during the walk-outs which are scheduled for 6th, 8th, 13th, 20th and 27th November - as well as the previously arranged strike on 30th October.
The industrial action planned for 8th November will also coincide with RMT strikes on the rail network, which is likely to cause major problems for commuters.
Other than the 8th, Customers with Arriva pre-paid tickets will be able to use them on the Northern Rail and Merseyrail network, as well as on the Stagecoach Quality Network Routes in Merseyside.
Phil Stone, Regional Managing Director for Arriva North West: "It is extremely disappointing that, having tabled a third improved pay offer for our drivers in a meeting with our union colleagues today, UNITE and GMB remain intent on continuing to cause unnecessary disruption and inconvenience to our customers. Whilst our focus has been to reach an agreement, theirs is to come up with yet more strike dates.
“We have offered a fair deal for our drivers and one that supports the sustainability of the business. We would urge the union, yet again, to strongly reconsider the improved offer put forward and call off the strike action.
“We would like to reassure customers that we will continue to do all we can to resolve the situation and wholeheartedly apologise for the inconvenience that this will cause. We want to also remind them to continue to check their routes before they travel.”