Arriva bus drivers in Kent are planning to strike after they turned down a pay offer, union officials have confirmed. Just to ensure that Kent is not being targeted, they have also chosen to strike in Essex too.
About 800 drivers will stage a walk out, with official strike dates to be announced.
Drivers based at depots in Colchester, Harlow, Southend, Gillingham, Maidstone, Gravesend and Tunbridge Wells will take part in the walkout.
It comes after Unite said Arriva offered a rise to bus drivers of 7.8%, which the union described as a “substantial pay cut” amid a UK inflation rate of 10.1%.
Unite’s general secretary Sharon Graham said “Offering a pay cut presented as a rise is completely unacceptable. Arriva can well afford to return with a better deal.”
Which is interesting considering Kent County Council are cutting funding to bus routes as they are not sustainable.
