** UPDATE: Strike to be suspended from Friday, 15 July – more here **
Bus strikes at Arriva Yorkshire depots in Selby and Castleford will begin again tomorrow (Wednesday 13 July).
Over 650 members of Unite, the union involved, have recorded a 53.7 percent vote in favour of rejecting Arriva’s latest pay offer, says the Union.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Our members have rejected Arriva’s offer – it must come back with an improved one. As part of a global transport giant, it can afford to do so.
“Tensions have needlessly been raised by Arriva’s management meddling during the ballot. The company’s actions have severely backfired.
“It is entirely Arriva’s own fault that the strikes are back on.”
The workers began strike action on 6 June over German-owned Arriva’s pay and conditions deal, which means, adds the Union, “bus workers are struggling to make ends meet amid the cost of living crisis.
“Newly recruited bus drivers are paid only £9.78 an hour – just 28 pence above the minimum wage.”
Strike action was suspended on 30 June to allow the Unite’s members to vote on the new offer from Arriva.
Following the deal’s rejection, all out continuous strikes will begin again at 2am tomorrow morning.
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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.”
“We are deeply frustrated on behalf of all our customers and the communities we serve for the disruption they face.”
“Following extensive negotiations, we have already put forward a fair and generous offer which helps address the cost of living challenge, despite passenger numbers being lower than before the pandemic.”
“Unite should immediately call off the strike and we are calling on ACAS to mediate.
“We intend to run the limited school service that we ran during the initial strike.”