Nearly 2,000 Arriva bus drivers across Liverpool, Manchester and the north west of England are being balloted for strike action in a dispute over pay.
If the Unite members, based at depots in Runcorn, Bootle, Birkenhead, St Helens, Liverpool, Southport, Winsford and Manchester, vote for strike action, bus services across the region will be seriously disrupted.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The best thing for Arriva to do is provide a decent pay rise for its hard-working and underpaid drivers. Arriva can prevent strikes from occurring, and the resulting disruption to passengers, by returning to the negotiating table and making a decent offer.
“But Arriva North West should be in no doubt that Unite is dedicated to fighting for our members’ jobs, pay and conditions, and if there is no improved offer and union members vote for strike action, we are prepared for a relentless campaign.”
The ballot of 1,800 staff across 11 depots closes on 15 October. If the workers vote in favour of industrial action, strikes could begin at the end of October.
