Arriva bus driver strike called off in Southport and the North West region

Arriva Buses says strike action by its drivers in the North West, due to take place over the Halloween weekend, has been called off.

Around 2,000 drivers had voted overwhelmingly for industrial action in a row over pay. 

The company says it has a recommended an offer of a 3% pay rise which will put to union members next week.

The strike, which would have disrupted services across the region, was scheduled to begin on Saturday 30 October, but they say services will now operate as normal.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite’s members have shown that by standing together in unity management has been obliged to make an improved pay offer. "Arriva must understand that we remain utterly determined to secure proper and lasting improvements to the pay and conditions of our members."

Unite says if members reject the offer a fresh notice for strike action will be served. Unite regional officer Alison Spencer-Scragg said: “This offer is a welcome step in the right direction. Unite’s members will now decide if it meets their aspirations.”