Strike action scheduled for next week at Arriva Kent has been suspended following an improved pay offer by the employer.

The 600 bus workers based at four depots (Gillingham, Gravesend, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells) were due to begin five days of strikes from Monday 24 October, but following an eleventh hour improved offer from the company, the strikes scheduled from Monday to Thursday were suspended.

Previously, planned strike action planned for Wednesday to Friday (19-21 October) this week was suspended to allow members to ballot on a revised offer. The workers rejected this offer.

However the employer returned to the negotiating table and an improved offer was made. The workers, who are members of Unite, the UK’s leading union, will now be balloted on the latest offer.

Unite regional officer Janet Nobbs said: “Following an improved offer from Arriva the strikes which were scheduled to affect Kent throughout  the half term holidays have been called off.”

If the latest offer is rejected the strike action scheduled for Friday 28 October will go ahead.

ENDS

 Notes to editors

For media enquiries ONLY please contact Unite senior communications officer Barckley Sumner on 07802 329235 or 0203 371 2067.

Email: [email protected]

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.