Five more bus strikes on the way this month
● TRADE union members at a Runcorn bus depot went on strike once more due to a pay dispute with further industrial action on the horizon.
Arriva bus drivers at Beechwood Avenue facility who are members of Unite and GMB went on strike again on Monday, October 30, for 24 hours for the third time in less than a fortnight.
Drivers joined colleagues at 10 other depots across the North West in the walkout as more than 2,000 staff members were affected.
Five further one-day strikes have been announced throughout this month.
These are on Monday, November 6, Wednesday, November 8, Monday, November 13, Monday, November 20, and Monday, November 27.
Bus passengers across Halton could be set for disruption to their services after talks over ‘inadequate’ pay rates broke down on Thursday, October 26.
Unite regional officer John Boughton said: “It is very disappointing that talks broke down yesterday, especially given that Arriva is owned by the German transport giant Deutsche Bahn AG and has huge financial resources.
“The workers are fed up with this continuing diet of inadequate pay offers when the company makes handsome profits, yet our members struggle to make ends meet as wages lag behind rising inflation.
“We appreciate that these strikes will cause disruption to the travelling public, but the ball is very much in the company’s court. They have the financial clout to settle this dispute at the stroke of a pen.”
Strikes on Monday, November 8, will also coincide with rail action called by the RMT.
Arriva North West regional managing director Phil Stone said: “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.”