Bus drivers and engineers vote on strike action

Arriva bus drivers could strike in the coming months

Hundreds of bus workers could strike in the coming months, a union has announced.

More than 300 Arriva bus drivers and engineers in Northumberland are voting on whether to take industrial action following a dispute over pay.

Unite argues that drivers at Arriva Northumberland are among the lowest paid in the region.

The company previously offered staff a 4% pay rise, but the offer was rejected by union members.

Ballots opened on 5 March and will close on 19 March.

Unite said that staff at rival bus operators had received "substantial increases" following campaigns by the union.

'Deplorable behaviour'

Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary, described the ballot as a "fight for a decent pay rise".

She said: "Arriva’s behaviour is deplorable; this is a profitable company which has been caught red handed trying to inflict a real terms pay cut on its workforce

"Arriva is making a grave mistake if it thinks it can undervalue the importance our members bring to the company.

"Without them there is no bus company, their pay and conditions must reflect the work that they do day in and day out."

Unite regional officer Dave Telford said: "This ballot will demonstrate the strength of ill-feeling at Arriva over the poor pay offer they’ve offered our members when energy bills and mortgages have gone through the roof.

"Unite will be backing them 100 per cent."

Arriva declined to comment on the pay negotiations.