The Arriva bus strike in Leeds has been suspended after Arriva workers received a new pay offer, it has been confirmed.
Unite Union stated that the strike will end on Saturday, July 2, to allow members to vote on the new pay offer.
As a result, 650 bus workers will return to work as Arriva has now made an improved offer to the union.
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The strike, which began on June 6, has been bus services suspended in Leeds and other parts of West Yorkshire including Bradford and West Yorkshire.
The union has said that as a gesture of goodwill, the strike has been called off but if the offer is rejected by members the strike will resume once again.
Unite regional officer Phil Bown said: “Arriva has come forward with an offer which our members will now be balloted on. While the ballot is being undertaken and as an act of goodwill Unite has suspended its strike action.”
The strike has caused major disruption across West Yorkshire with dozens of services affected, and has clashed on some days with national rail strikes causing more misery for commuters.
Gavin Peace, Area Operating Director for Arriva North East & Yorkshire, said: “It is fantastic news that we have reached an agreement with Unite and from this Saturday, we can start to reinstate bus services across Yorkshire. This has been an incredibly difficult four weeks and I apologise for the distress industrial action has caused. I look forward to welcoming the Arriva Yorkshire team back into our depots where together, we will focus on delivering sustainable bus services for our local communities - ensuring we connect our customers to places, people and things they need and love. We look forward to welcoming you back on board an Arriva bus, soon!”
Reacting to today’s news, Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “I’m relieved that Arriva and Unite have been able to reach an agreement that can be put to members. I’m sure that this news will also come as a great relief to the thousands of people who use and rely on Arriva services to get to and from work and education every day.
“I hope we can now see services return to normal as quickly as possible from Saturday 2 July.
“I look forward to working with all of the operators, drivers and depot staff to deliver the step-change in services we need to help West Yorkshire’s economy grow.”
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