Arriva buses will return Liverpool city region’s roads after a new 11.1% pay offer brings a month-long strike by drivers to an end. Tony McDonough reports
A month-long pay dispute that has seen Arriva bus drivers across Merseyside take strike action is at an end with services back to normal on Thursday.
Arriva in Liverpool city region’s biggest bus operator and the dispute, which started on July 20, has caused widespread disruption across the region. The strike involved 1,800 drivers and also hit services in Cheshire, Lancashire and Greater Manchester.
However, on Thursday afternoon both Arrive and the Unite union announced an 11.1% pay offer had now been agreed. Unite will recommend the deal be accepted by around 2,000 staff. The pay increase will be backdated to April.
In a statement Arriva North West said: “Arriva North West is today able to confirm that following ongoing discussions in recent weeks, all parties have come to an agreement on an unprecedented pay deal for Arriva North West drivers.
“Following a meeting today, in which the agreement was reached, Unions will now take this recommended offer to our colleagues.
“Furthermore, it has also been agreed that industrial action across Cheshire, Lancashire, Manchester and Merseyside will be suspended from 3am on Thursday, August 18. All parties will now work together to progress the pay offer.
“Arriva would like to thank our customers across the North West region, for your continued patience in recent weeks, during the extremely challenging strike period.”
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Unite will ballot its members on the offer over the next two days and will return to work while it is carried out. Unite regional officer, Dave Roberts, said: “Arriva has seen sense and met the demands of our members by tabling an 11.1% pay deal.
“Unite’s negotiating team is recommending the offer be accepted and it is being put to members in a vote. The strike is suspended pending the outcome of the ballot and drivers are to return to work tomorrow to serve the needs of the community and public.
“The determination and resolve of our members has been solid throughout the industrial action and we thank those who have provided support and assistance to secure the offer from the company.”