Arriva bus strike suspended

Strikes at bus operator Arriva North West have been called off after the company put forward an ‘unprecedented’ pay offer.

Around 1,800 workers, who have been on strike since 20 July, will return to work from today (Thursday August 18) and be balloted on the offer.

The ballot will be conducted over the next two days with the result declared on Friday afternoon.

Unite, representing bus drivers, said the one year 11.1 per cent offer, which will be backdated to April, applies to more than 2,000 Unite members in Macclesfield,, Birkenhead, Bolton, Bootle, Liverpool, Manchester, Runcorn, Southport, Speke, St Helens and Winsford.

The agreement comes after fresh talks were held today between the company and the Unite and GMB unions.

A previous pay offer was roundly rejected by Arriva drivers in a vote yesterday.

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 18 August and 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.”