Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram visited an Arriva picket line today as the results of a crunch vote on the industrial action is expected.
Mayor Rotheram joined striking bus drivers at the picket in Hawthorne Road in Bootle. Today is the 28th consecutive day of walk-outs, during which time there have been no Arriva buses anywhere across Merseyside.
The mayor's visit comes after he and other leaders across the region wrote to Arriva bosses to call for them to offer a pay increase that will bring the dispute to an end. On Friday, Arriva said it had tabled a pay offer that the Unite and GMB unions would put to its members, which it hoped would see its buses back on the roads this week.
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Tweeting about his visit today, Mayor Rotheram said: ""Went to visit the picket line at the Hawthorne Road bus depot in Bootle this morning to hear from Arriva drivers and talk about the dispute and latest pay offer. I also spoke about the work I'm doing to reregulate our buses and the difference it will make to their lives."
The mayor's picket visit comes on the same day that a result of the ballot of members is expected. While Arriva has said it is hopeful that a yes vote to its latest offer would see buses returning tomorrow, bus drivers have told the ECHO that a positive vote is by no means a foregone conclusion.
On Friday an Arriva spokesperson said: " A company spokesperson said: "Following re-convened pay negotiations today, Arriva has tabled an improved offer that has enabled Unite the Union and GMB to ballot members on this offer. The ballot will take place on Monday, 15th and Tuesday, 16th August 2022.
"All parties are working hard to bring the industrial action to a conclusion with the desire to resume service on Wednesday, 17th August.” The ongoing strike over drivers’ pay has meant there have been no Arriva services across Merseyside for more than three weeks."
The Arriva dispute is one of a number resulting in strike action across the region. There have also been rail strikes organised by the RMT and ASLEF rail unions, post office workers have also walked out on strike. This week contract staff at the Liverpool-based Disclosure and Barring Service are taking part in a six day walk-out with a picket of the Tithebarn Street premises.
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