Bus depot staff set to strike

TRADE union members at a Runcorn bus depot will be staging walkouts in a dispute over below inflation pay and wage inequality between garages.

Unite has announced more than 2,000 bus drivers and engineering staff working for Arriva North West across 11 depots.

It includes the one in Runcorn with one day stoppages planned on Thursday, October 19, Monday, October 23, and Monday, October 30.

The bus firm operates services across both Runcorn and Widnes.

The announcement comes after crisis talks over pay for the current financial year between Unite and Arriva North West broke down.

A Unite spokesman said the trade union is calling for a fair and equitable pay award across all depots and for the company to take steps to address wage inequality between depots which it claims currently can be as much as £1.73 an hour.

Under Arriva’s latest pay offer, Unite said those disparities could rise to £2 an hour.

Unite regional officer Neil Clarke said: “Arriva is owned by the German transport giant Deutsche Bahn AG and has huge financial resources.

“All we are seeking is a fair and reasonable pay award against a backdrop of spiralling inflation and soaring living costs.

“Our members are fed up with pitiful pay offers and Arriva’s ‘pick and mix’ approach to wages where some depots get a pay rise and others don’t.

“This has resulted in wage inequality across a number of depots and is in stark contrast to the company’s claim to be an industry leader in the treatment of its staff.

“We urge Arriva to put its money where its mouth is and stop treating its loyal workforce so abysmally and that it starts investing in the people who generate the wealth within the business.”

Picket lines will be assembling outside of all Arriva North West depots on the strike days.

Arriva’s regional managing director Phil Stone said: “It is disappointing that Unite and GMB balloted for strike action over pay when we have a tabled a fair pay deal for our staff.

“All drivers across all depots will benefit from the current pay offer.

“Any pay award has to be sustainable for each individual depot and this is reflected in what has been offered. The hourly rate for all drivers remains competitive.

He added: “We will look at how our passengers may be impacted by potential strike action and the measures we can put in place to minimise disruption to them.”