Bus strike threat over as pay deal reached

Arriva bus drivers have secured a 6.1% deal

Bus drivers and engineers have agreed a pay deal with their employer, putting an end to potential strikes.

Unite members at Arriva North East have agreed a 6.1% pay increase.

Staff had planned to strike on 21 April but the action was called off after Arriva came back to the negotiating table.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said staff would now receive a "significant and well-deserved pay increase".

Arriva had previously offered staff a 4% rise, but about about 300 workers voted to walk out over the offer.

Unite said the new offer matched the best bus company pay in the region.

'Relief' for passengers

"The workers at Arriva will be heading to work with their heads held high after this excellent pay victory," said the union's regional officer Dave Telford.

"Unite has refused to allow our drivers and engineers to be underpaid and this is a direct result of their determination to stand firm against their employer."

An Arriva North East spokesperson said: "We’re pleased to have come to an agreement with Unite which means industrial action will no longer take place.

"We are sure this will come as a relief to our customers and allows us to continue our efforts to recruit more drivers."

All remaining industrial action has been cancelled.