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Bus strikes looming as Arriva Northumberland workers balloted over pay
300 drivers and engineers offered just four per cent pay increase
www.unitetheunion.org
Hundreds of bus workers in Northumberland could strike later this spring, Unite the union announced today (5 March 2024).
Over 300 Unite members who work as drivers and engineers across Northumberland are being balloted for industrial action after rejecting a pay increase of just four per cent from their employer, Arriva Northumberland.
The ballot opens today (Tuesday 5 March) and closes on 19 March. Workers at other bus companies in the area, such as Go North East, have had substantial increases following campaigns by Unite.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Arriva’s behaviour is deplorable; this is a profitable company which has been caught red handed trying to inflict a real terms pay cut on its workforce “Arriva is making a grave mistake if it thinks it can undervalue the importance our members bring to the company. Without them there is no bus company, their pay and conditions must reflect the work that they do day in and day out.
“The Arriva workers have the full backing of Unite in this fight for a decent pay rise.”
The pay anniversary for workers was in January and February this year, the workers are continuing to struggle with a cost-of-living crisis with inflation remaining high. Arriva drivers are currently the lowest paid out of the three main operators in Tyne & Wear. The best-paid drivers earn less than those employed by Go North East and Stagecoach. Arriva also has a history of below-inflation pay offers meaning workers are becoming worse off every year. Arriva is currently owned by German transport giant Deutsche Bahn (DB) and it made profits of £2.4 million in 2022. It is due to be sold imminently to an investment firm called I Squared Capital.
Unite regional officer Dave Telford said: “This ballot will demonstrate the strength of ill-feeling at Arriva over the poor pay offer they’ve offered our members when energy bills and mortgages have gone through the roof. Unite will be backing them 100 per cent.”
Unite’s members are based at the Blythe and Ashington depots.
-ENDS-
Hoping this dispute is solved soon, I'll be using Arriva NE quite a bit whilst on holiday in Northumberland at the end of this month, so hoping I won't be affected.
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