Bus strike: Yorkshire Arriva drivers to resume action over pay deal

Arriva bus drivers in parts of Yorkshire have rejected a new pay offer and will walk out again on Wednesday, union bosses have said.

Staff at Arriva Yorkshire initially went on strike on 6 June, forcing more than 300 buses off the road.

Buses resumed on 1 July after a revised offer by the firm, but on Tuesday Unite said it had been rejected.

It said members would begin action from 02:00 BST on Wednesday. Arriva said the announcement's timing was "appalling".

About 650 bus workers across Yorkshire had walked out after rejecting an initial offer of a 4% pay rise, with the union claiming drivers were being forced to use food banks.

The walkout affected services across West Yorkshire as well as parts of North, South and East Yorkshire, with around 300 buses off the road across 132 routes.

Improved offers were made by the company and eventually the strike was called off to allow Unite members to consider it.

The union said 53.7% of drivers who voted had rejected the latest offer.

General Secretary Sharon Graham said the company had to come back with a better offer.

"As part of a global transport giant, it can afford to do so," she said.

Ms Graham said the company's management had "meddled" during the ballot, which had raised tensions and had "severely backfired".

"It is entirely Arriva's own fault that the strikes are back on."

A spokesperson for Arriva UK Bus said: "For Unite to call this indefinite strike in Yorkshire with just hours' notice is appalling.

"Customers who will be relying on buses to travel will be seriously inconvenienced with no warning provided.

"And for such damaging action to be taken when half of the drivers have not voted to support returning to strike action is shocking."

The company said it had put forward a "fair and generous offer" despite passenger numbers being lower than before the pandemic and urged the union to call off the strike.

It added that it intends to run the "limited" school service which operated during the initial strike.

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