Arriva bus drivers in Southport and the North West to strike on 20th July

Unite regional officer Dave Roberts said: "The forthcoming strike action is set to cause widespread disruption to bus services throughout the North West.

"However, this dispute is all about greed not need. Arriva could make its workers a decent offer but it chose not to. Even now strikes can be avoided if Arriva made an offer which meets members' expectations and returns to the negotiating table."

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "This dispute is entirely of Arriva's own making. It can fully afford to ensure its workers receive decent pay and conditions. Instead, Arriva has made our members a pitiful offer.

Not only do they want workers to accept a real terms pay cut, they also want them to sacrifice their sick pay. This is just not acceptable. Unite will back these members to the hilt until this dispute is resolved and they receive a decent pay increase."