Over 600 bus drivers employed by Arriva in Kent have announced further strikes next month in a dispute over pay.

October dates

The workers had already announced they are taking industrial action this Friday 30 September and this will be followed by a further four days of industrial action on 6,7, 10 and 11 of October.

The workers are seeking a pay increase in line with the real inflation rate and which addresses years of pay erosion.

Despite the increasing disruption caused by the ongoing dispute Arriva has failed to make a new offer to the workers or return to the negotiating table.

Wealthy company

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This is a prime example of a very wealthy company which can fully afford to pay its workers a fair pay increase but is refusing to do so.”

Depots effected

The drivers operate from depots in Gillingham, Gravesend, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells.

Despite Arriva claiming it is suffering losses the UK bus division and the parent company are both extremely profitable. Arriva is owned by Deutsche Bahn, one of the largest global transport companies. In the last 10 years Arriva’s UK bus division has paid £560 million in profits to Deutsche Bahn

Deutsche Bahn is effectively owned by the German government and has paid dividends of £5 billion to the government in the last decade.

Further disruption

Unite regional officer Janet Nobbs said: “The strikes will inevitably cause further disruption to bus passengers in Kent but Arriva has brought this dispute on themselves. Its refusal to even enter into negotiations demonstrates that it is not serious about resolving the industrial action.”

 ENDS

 Notes to editors

Fresh Arriva Kent strike announced after Arriva fail to make fresh pay offer

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.