There are no signs of a long-running walk-out of bus drivers across Merseyside coming to an end.
The all-out strike of Arriva bus drivers will continue into its 21st day tomorrow, with no current prospect of a breakthrough. Both sides have today confirmed to the Echo that no agreement has been reached and no new talks appear to be imminent.
Talks between Arriva and the Unite and GMB unions broke down last week. The bus operator said it was 'very disappointed' that the unions walked away, but a Unite source said the latest offer represented 'a new hat on an old offer, which did not impress the members.'
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The ECHO understands that the new pay offer saw drivers with over 5 years experience being offered an increase of around 9.6%, but would have seen drivers with less than five years under their belts offered just 7.5%. The unions have pointed out that this works out on the whole as very similar to the 8.5% across the board offer that had previously been rejected.
A Unite source told the ECHO: "Unless and until the company gets serious about a better offer, the strike continues." Arriva said it was unable to comment on the exact details of its various offers, but a company spokesperson said: "I can confirm that we do continue to find ways to improve our offers and adopt a flexible approach in the negotiations because we are committed to ending this strike.
"As stated on Friday, the unions continue to walk away without putting our various generous offers to their members and allowing them the democratic right to vote and this is very disappointing.” The continued strikes mean that once again, there will be no Arriva services available anywhere across Merseyside tomorrow.
While the strikes have widespread public support in the region, many are now feeling the impact. Some areas of Merseyside are only served by Arriva services, with no rail stations nearby. People have reported paying out large sums to get taxis to and from work over the course of the strike.
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 unions, post office workers have also walked out on strike. Next week contract staff at the Liverpool-based Disclosure and Barring Service will strike for six days.
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