Unite hails ‘magnificent’ win as Arriva North West strike action ends
The 29-day bus strike at Arriva North West has ceased after workers voted overwhelmingly to accept the company’s improved pay offer, which trade union Unite claims is worth an average of £2,300 a year.
Unite’s 2,043 members across 11 Merseyside garages voted by nearly 10 to one to accept the 11.1% offer, worth an additional average of £2,300 on the workers’ salaries, equal to an extra £55 per week.
Hailing the settlement, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Our members stood strong for a month.
“They thoroughly deserve their magnificent victory.
“This is how Unite responds to the cost of living crisis, with a win that will put an extra £55 per week in our members’ wallets.”
She added: “Arriva North West’s German parent company could well afford to raise pay. We say to other employers, take note – where you can pay, you should do so.”
A previous offer of 9.6% had been overwhelmingly rejected by four in five (80%) of Unite members.
Dave Roberts, Unite regional officer, said: “Our members made it abundantly clear from day one what it would take to settle this dispute.
“They stayed true to their demands even when the company refused to listen.
“Our members stood strong and achieved the outcome they deserved. The solidarity shown among the Unite members has been magnificent and an inspiration to all.”
George Patterson, organiser for the GMB union, said: “GMB members at Arriva should be very proud of themselves. By standing together they’ve won themselves the pay rise they deserve.
“It’s just disappointing it took five weeks of financial hardship and public inconvenience to get there – especially as the company had the finances to fund the pay rise the whole time.”
The dispute is now settled at all of the Arriva North West garages in Merseyside: Southport, Bootle, Green Lane, St Helens, Speke, Runcorn, Bolton, Wythenshawe, Winsford, Wirral and Macclesfield.
A statement on the Arriva North West website said: “We can confirm our latest pay offer has been accepted by Unite and GMB members, this means industrial action in now concluded and Arriva services will continue to operate as normal throughout the North West.”
But the company warned: “The pay offer made is going to place challenges upon the sustainability of the network and we are focused on minimising that impact.”
