ARRIVA North West bus drivers are to strike for nine days in the run-up to Christmas

Members of Unite and GMB union will walk out of 11 depots, including Winsford, on December 4, 7, 12, 13, 14 as well as a four day stretch from December 20 to 23.

Talks broke down between the three parties today, Friday, with Unite calling an offer for staff of one penny extra an hour ‘insulting’.

John Boughton, Unite regional officer, said: “This below inflation final offer is an insult to Arriva employees, to the people in the communities in which Arriva operates and to businesses which will be affected by further strike action.

“This offer shows the contempt for workers who are fighting to stop their pay being eroded by the impact of inflation.

“The announcement of nine new strike dates in the run-up to Christmas will be inconvenient for the travelling public, but our members are reluctantly taking this action as they have hit a brick wall with an intransigent management.

The unions are looking for an ‘equitable pay award’ across Arriva as they believe there are wage inequalities of up to £1.73 an hour between depots.

Staff at Arriva have already been taking industrial action since October and strikes on Monday, November 20 and 27 have already been announced.

Phil Stone, regional managing director for Arriva North West, said before the meeting today: "Arriva tabled an improved offer for our drivers at last Tuesday’s meeting with Unite and GMB.

“It is disappointing therefore that Unite and GMB have announced further unnecessary strike dates without first confirming the outcome of the ballot and allowing Arriva to respond.

“As we have said before, any pay offer has to be sustainable for the business going forward and we believe we have put forward a fair pay deal for our drivers.

"Our customers are understandably growing weary of the travel disruption, and we sincerely apologise to them for the inconvenience caused by the continued strike action."