London Arriva 48 hour bus strike to go ahead from today

A 48-hour strike by bus drivers employed by Arriva will go ahead today (Monday 28 March) after workers rejected the company’s pay offer.

The strikes will involve drivers, members of Unite the UK’s leading union, based at depots in Croydon, Norwood and Thornton Heath. The drivers operate routes across south and central London.

Arriva initially offered workers a pay deal of just 1.5 per cent, a real terms pay cut as inflation climbs to 8.2 per cent. The company belatedly improved the offer but it still failed to meet members’ expectations.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Arriva’s bus drivers are fed up with being taken for granted. This is a profitable business that can well afford fair wages – it needs to get real on the pay offer to our members.

“Our members at Arriva will have the union’s total support until the company makes a fair offer and this dispute is resolved.”

Without an imminent breakthrough in the dispute, further industrial action will be announced, Unite have announced.

Unite regional officer John Murphy said: “The strike action will inevitably cause considerable disruption, but this dispute is entirely of Arriva’s own making. It has shown its contempt to a loyal workforce by trying to palm them off with an entirely unacceptable offer.

“Arriva needs to realise the error of its ways, table an improved offer and return to the negotiating table.”

The strike could mean other modes of transport will be in higher demand, such as the tube and taxi services.