North West Arriva bus drivers go on strike
More than 1,800 workers are walking out of depots in Manchester and Merseyside
Last updated 20th Jul 2022
Over 1,800 Arriva workers are walking out of depots in Manchester and Merseyside today (Wednesday 20 July).
The GMB Union says that after three months of negotiations, pay offers from Arriva have not met inflation rates. It also claims some pay offers have been “self-funded” – meaning workers would have to sacrifice other terms to pay for them, and that none have met RPI inflation rates – in the midst of the cost of living crisis.
96% of union members voted for strike action.
Robbie Marnell, GMB Regional Organiser, said:
“No worker should be struggling to cover their bills. But in the face of a cost of living crisis, Arriva needs to get real on its pay offers.
“Members have had enough after going the extra mile during Covid - working through the dangers of the pandemic - and now getting scant reward.
“The overwhelming strike mandate shows workers' take on the miserly offer clearly. We have our deckchairs ready for the pickets.
“Hopefully the company will listen and get back around the table with a fair offer.”
Howard Farrall, North West & Wales Area Operating Director for Arriva UK Bus commented:
"Our people play a hugely important role keeping communities 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. Furthermore, we have tabled this offer during a time of significant focus on sustainability of our networks in partnership with our local public transport authorities, to ensure that Arriva continues to deliver and manage a viable bus network across the Region reflecting post-pandemic passenger trends.
"It isn’t right that the Unions wouldn’t put this latest offer to their own members and allow them to exercise their democratic right to vote. The mandate for strikes arose from a ballot of Unite and GMB members on a previous pay offer, meaning strikes are continuing without the improved proposal being put to employees by the Unions
"Strike action is counter-productive, harms the communities and customers we serve, and damages bus travel at a time when we should all be focused on building recovery from the pandemic. We’re calling on Unite & GMB to abandon their plans for this damaging strike and to ballot their members on the new offer."