Bus strike looms in pay dispute
A THREATENED bus driver strike is set to cause disruption to services in the run up to Christmas.
Drivers in Unite working for Arriva have voted to go strike for seven days from next Sunday over a call for a £1-an-hour pay rise.
The decision was backed by drivers at depots in Redcar, Stockton, Whitby, Darlington and Durham last month.
While it was hoped a deal could be struck, talks broke down between Arriva management and the unionk.
Now, Durham County Council bosses have stated they’re preparing for disruption if the strike goes ahead.
A memo sent to councillors states Arriva is the sole or main operator for several services in South Durham.
While the action is expected to have a limited impact on bus travel, it states, a number of students will be hit.
the council’s head of transport and contract services, Adrian White, said the council will publicise advice and information for all county bus users should the strike go ahead.
“We’re monitoring the situation with Arriva’s planned strike in order to understand any impact it could have on bus users in County Durham and identify whether any action is needed to ensure that anyone entitled to statutory home to school travel can still make their journeys,” he said.
Arriva claims Unite’s demands equate to a 21% rise in its overall wage bill and claims it has tabled an improved offer of 7.5% for drivers.
The operator has said Arriva Durham County drivers currently earn above the average working wage for hourly paid workers in the region.
It adds drivers have never been subject to any management-imposed pay freezes or below-inflation pay settlements which other have faced.
Arriva’s managing director for the region Nigel Featham, added: “We urge our drivers to reconsider this extreme action that hurts our passengers, our employees and ultimately, our ability to make pay increases.
“In our view a 20% plus pay demand is excessive, unreasonable and illtimed in the present economic climate.”
Unite regional officer Bob Bolam said: “We had talks with the management of Arriva County Durham Ltd on Wednesday under the auspices of the conciliation service, Acas. The company made an offer on pay and Unite made a counter offer, which the management considered and declined the proposal. In the meantime, we are preparing for the week long strike action due to start on Sunday, December 16.
“However, we appreciate that such action will cause massive disruption to the travelling public in the north east in the run-up to Christmas, so Unite’s door is open for constructive talks 24/7.”
Liberal Democrat councillor, Mark Wilkes, described the possible strike as a “kick in the teeth for bus users.”