Yorkshire bus worker strike talks break down - Unite

Talks to resolve an indefinite strike by bus workers in a row over pay have broken down, union leaders say.

The walkout, which started on 6 June, is hitting services across West Yorkshire as well as parts of North, South and East Yorkshire.

The Unite union said Arriva's pay offer was below the current level of inflation, with some staff having to rely on foodbanks.

Arriva said Unite had refused to put an improved offer to its members.

A spokesman for Unite said on Twitter they had met with Arriva bosses at the firm's headquarters in Wakefield.

"Unfortunately, after four hours of discussion the talks have broken down with no deal.

"We are committed to coming back to the table to try and bring this dispute to an end," he added.

Phil Bown, Unite regional officer, has previously said the strike was "an absolute last resort" and members were having to "choose between paying their rent or eating".

"I've got bus drivers here who are working 40 to 50 hours a week [and] some of them are going to food banks to subsidise their income.

"They shouldn't have to do that - they're full-time workers," he added.

Arriva had previously said its offer of 7-10% for most drivers was "very fair".

The firm said it had "presented a further increased pay offer" at the meeting, which represented an increase of between 8.2% and 12.7%, with the top rate of pay raised to £13.15 per hour, as well as increasing back pay.

"We were hopeful today's talks would lead to a positive outcome and the ending of strike action across Yorkshire," a spokesman said.

"Our customers will no doubt share this frustration as strikes will continue to have a negative impact on our communities.

"We repeat our call for the strike to be suspended and for the union to take our offer to our employees so that communities can access vital bus services."

The bus firm has been unable to operate services across Wakefield, Dewsbury, Castleford, Pontefract, Heckmondwike, Cleckheaton, Bradford, Leeds, Ossett, Batley, Morley, Rothwell, South Elmsall, Hemsworth, Huddersfield, Halifax, Doncaster, Selby, York and Goole.

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