Hundreds of Arriva Cymru bus drivers are set to start a five week long strike this weekend unless last ditch talks secure an improved pay deal.
Bus services will face severe disruption in North Wales and Chester after nearly 400 drivers voted overwhelmingly to strike in a pay dispute,
Unless there is any sudden concession this week drivers at depots, including Amlwch, Bangor, Hawarden (Chester), Llandudno, Rhyl and Wrexham, will strike continuously from 6am on Sunday 14 November 2021 until 1am on Sunday 19 December.
Unite said the pay offer was 1.77 per cent backdated to 1 January – well below inflation.
They said no new offers had been received since announcing the intention to strike.
Arriva said they believed the pay offer put forward is "fair and highly competitive".
Last month a strike by Arriva drivers in the North West of England was averted after an improved offer was made to Unite members.
It is understand a further meeting will take place this week between Unite and Arriva Cymru.
Unite say drivers in Wales are currently being paid less than their colleagues in England and "deserve better".
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "It is time that Arriva Cymru’s management woke up and smelled the coffee. The 95 per cent vote in favour of industrial action shows how determined our members are to fight for a better pay deal. And make no mistake, they will have the full backing of Unite during their five week strike .
“They were local heroes in the pandemic, so surely now is the time for that dedication and hard work to be rewarded with a substantial pay rise.”
An Arriva UK Bus spokesperson said: "While we understand concerns about recent increases to the cost of living, we believe the offer we put forward is fair and highly competitive.
"Arriva is very committed to continued dialogue and has already been involved in extensive discussions with our trade union partners. We had very much hoped to reach an agreement.
“Public transport remains under enormous pressure following the effects of the pandemic and it’s vital that we work together to build a recovery, while also providing continuity of services for local communities.”
