A 48-hour strike by bus drivers employed by Arriva will go ahead on Monday (28 March) after workers rejected the company’s pay offer.

 

Bus strike

 

The strikes will involve drivers, members of Unite the UK’s leading union, based at depots in Croydon, Norwood and Thornton Heath. The drivers operate routes across south and central London.

 

Arriva initially offered workers a pay deal of just 1.5 per cent, a real terms pay cut as inflation climbs to 8.2 per cent. The company belatedly improved the offer but it still failed to meet members’ expectations.

 

Drivers fed up

 

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Arriva’s bus drivers are fed up with being taken for granted. This is a profitable business that can well afford fair wages – it needs to get real on the pay offer to our members.

 

“Our members at Arriva will have the union’s total support until the company makes a fair offer and this dispute is resolved.”

 

Further industrial action

 

Without an imminent breakthrough in the dispute further industrial action will be announced.

 

Arriva contempt for workers

 

Unite regional officer John Murphy said: “The strike action will inevitably cause considerable disruption, but this dispute is entirely of Arriva’s own making. It has shown its contempt to a loyal workforce by trying to palm them off with an entirely unacceptable offer.

 

“Arriva needs to realise the error of its ways, table an improved offer and return to the negotiating table.”

 

ENDS

 

Notes to editors:

 

London facing bus strikes due to Arriva’s ‘pathetic’ pay offer

 

During the coronavirus crisis Unite is working to keep workers and the public safe, to defend jobs and to protect incomes.

 

For more information please contact Unite senior communications officer Barckley Sumner on 020 3371 2067 or 07802 329235.

 

Email: [email protected]

 

Twitter: @unitetheunion Facebook: unitetheunion1 Web: unitetheunion.org

 

Unite is the UK and Ireland’s leading union fighting to protect and advance jobs, pay and conditions for members working across all sectors of the economy. The general secretary is Sharon Graham.