Further bus strikes by Arriva staff at be held at depots in Luton, Milton Keynes, Aylesbury, and Hemel

The Unite union has confirmed further strike action by Arriva staff following two days of industrial action this week; the strike action will take place on Tuesday, September 20 and Friday, September 30 but cancelled for September 16.

A spokesman for Arriva said: “This will be disappointing news for our customers.

“We have put forward a significant pay offer for employees, which recognises the great work they do and reflects the unprecedented cost-of-living challenge facing the region.

"However, any pay rise has to be affordable in order to protect the long-term sustainability of the bus network. We urge Unite the union to work with us by suspending strike action and allow members to vote on this increase.

“We will ensure our customers and stakeholders are kept informed on any services which are due to run across the region on planned strike days.”

Arriva is offering drivers, admin staff, engineers, cleaners and shunters pay rises of between four and six per cent. With the real rate of inflation, RPI, running at 12.3 per cent, it is claimed this represents a pay cut in real terms.

Unite general secretary, Sharon Graham, said: “Arriva and Deutsche Bahn have funnelled money made by these workers out of the country for years. It is abundantly clear they can afford to pay a decent increase. Instead, and during the worst cost of living crisis for decades, they are asking them to take a real terms wage cut.

“Arriva workforce will receive Unite’s total support until Arriva comes back with an acceptable offer.”