Major strike held at Arriva Yorkshire

Over 850 Arriva bus drivers operating out of five depots across West Yorkshire took part in a 24-hour strike on Monday, November 14, in a dispute over pay and shifts.
The strike is expected to involve drivers at depots in Castleford, Dewsbury, Heckmondwike, Selby and Wakefield.
Union Unite said the stoppage follows the breakdown of protracted talks with Arriva, and claimed drivers were being forced to drive up to five and a half hours without a break. It said drivers want Arriva to reduce the time behind the wheel before a break from five and half hours to five, to more closely align with drivers using tachographs.
An Arriva Yorkshire spokesman said: “We have been working tirelessly over the last year with drivers’ representatives from Unite the Union to bring pay talks to an amicable conclusion. But, despite our best efforts, with multiple offers to increase pay and conditions we received notification to strike.
“This isn’t a classic management versus union struggle to see who comes out on top. In fact, four times now, we have agreed pay deals with the union negotiating committee which they have recommended for acceptance. Unfortunately, these Union recommended deals have failed to get voted through by a small margin.
“On October 19, we tabled a further enhanced 5.4% pay rise for all drivers covering January 2016 through to December 2018 and the promise of future talks on driver conditions. We are disappointed that the Union negotiating committee refused to ballot members on this increased offer in favour of a 24-hour stoppage.”
Unite Regional Officer, Phil Bown, said: “Strike action is not a step our members take lightly, but after nearly 12 months of circular talks they have become increasingly angry about being strung along by Arriva bosses.
“Our members take great pride in the service they provide and given Arriva’s large profits believe it’s only right that they get a modest pay rise which reflects their hard work.
“Importantly, they want to provide a service to the travelling public which is safe. That is why Unite has been urging the company to cut the time a driver can spend at the wheel before a break from five and half hours to five.”