Around 300 Arriva workers in Leicester, Hinckley and Coalville have accepted an improved pay offer, ending the threat of strike action.
The bus drivers, depot and office staff, who are members of trade union Unite, originally rejected an inadequate pay offer from their employer, citing its pre-tax profits of €156 million (£137.1 million) in 2024 as a reason.
The workers voted in favour of the improved offer, which will see their pay rise by 6.5% from 1 December. Drivers will also receive a one-off non-consolidated £1,000 payment and an improvement to their bank holiday working rate.
The dispute was settled without any industrial action. All scheduled strike dates, which included 11, 12, 13, 15, 20 and 21 December, and 5 and 6 January, have now been called off.
Strikes on 11, 12, 13 and 15 December were suspended on 10 December following an improved pay offer so staff could be balloted. At this point, strikes on 20-21 December, and 5-6 January, would have taken place if the offer was rejected.
A spokesperson for Arriva Midlands said: “We’re pleased to have come to an agreement with Unite which means industrial action will not take place. We are sure this will come as a relief to our customers.”
Sharon Graham, general secretary at Unite, added: “A huge well done to the Arriva Leicestershire workforce who have shown that workers who stand together win together.”
