Bus strikes suspended as new pay offer made

Strike action involving hundreds of bus workers has been suspended after a new pay offer was made.

About 300 drivers and engineers at the Arriva Northumbria depots in Ashington and Blyth were due to walk out for a week on 7 April, followed by a second week of action from 21 April.

However, the union Unite said its members were being balloted on a revised pay offer having previously rejected a proposed 4% rise.

The bus operator said it was "pleased" the action had been called off while union members considered the new deal.

The strike, due to begin on Sunday, has been suspended regardless of the ballot result, Unite said, with industrial action resuming on 21 April should it be rejected.

Unite added the firm's drivers were currently the lowest paid out of the three main operators covering Tyne and Wear and that staff at those firms had received "substantial increases" following its involvement.

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