More Arriva bus strikes planned in December

More misery for passengers as unions have called for more strike action on Arriva buses next month.

The strike on Nov 20 and 27th goes ahead as planned, December strikes are on 4th, 7th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 20th, 21st, 22nd and the 23rd.

Passengers with pre-paid tickets can use Northern rail on the days Arriva are on strike, this will not help those in Trafford much, more so Partington residents who will be hit hard by these strikes, with the 247 service the only bus that takes them to Altrincham and the same bus number taking them out towards the Trafford Centre.

Phil Stone the regional managing director of Arriva North West said: “Arriva tabled an improved offer for our drivers at last Tuesday’s meeting with UNITE and GMB.  We are still awaiting the results of UNITE and GMB’s ballot to its members on this improved pay offer.  It is disappointing therefore that UNITE and GMB have announced further unnecessary strike dates without first confirming the outcome of the ballot and allowing Arriva to respond.

“We are, as ever, keen to meet with the UNITE and GMB to resolve the pay dispute and have requested a further meeting with them this Thursday to put an end to the disruption and inconvenience caused to our customers through strike action.  As we have said before, any pay offer has to be sustainable for the business going forward and we believe we have put forward a fair pay deal for our drivers.

“Our customers are understandably growing weary of the travel disruption, and we sincerely apologise to them for the inconvenience caused by the continued strike action.”