WITH Arriva services in Bradford and Yorkshire suspended following a second day of strikes, the bus firm has today requested Unite to immediately end the strike so union members can vote on the pay offer.

The move comes as Arriva confirmed it has offered the vast majority of workers in Yorkshire pay rises of between 7 and 12.5%, an unprecedented move in direct response to the cost-of-living pressures felt across the region.

The offer will see hourly rates top £13.00 for most drivers with trainee drivers set to start on at least £10.30 an hour.

Gavin Peace, Area Operations Director for Arriva North East & Yorkshire said: “Our people play a hugely important role keeping communities moving and they fully deserve a pay rise – especially with the cost-of-living increasing so much.

“It’s why despite significant pressures on the bus sector with increasing costs and passenger numbers still at below pre-pandemic levels, we have offered our people pay rises of between 7 and 12.5%.

“This is an unprecedented pay offer, with increases far higher than most workers are receiving from their employers at a time of considerable economic pressure.

“We’re baffled as to why the Unite trade union wouldn’t put this generous offer to their own members and allow them to vote.

“This unjustified strike is causing such disruption and it should be called off immediately."