Drivers agree to latest pay offer from bus operator Arriva, reports Joe Talora, Local Democracy Reporter

*Buses in Enfield Town (credit Enfield Council)*

Planned strike action by bus drivers in London has been called off after a pay dispute was resolved.

Members of Unite employed by Arriva in North London have secured an improved pay offer of 11%, the union said on Friday, 30th September.

As many as 2,000 drivers across eight depots in North London were due to walk out from Tuesday, 4th October as part of a pay dispute. The strike has now been called off following what Unite general secretary Sharon Graham called a “very strong result”.

She said: “This is a very strong result and establishes what can be achieved when union members stand together in unity.

“This deal demonstrates how Unite’s complete focus on the jobs, pay and conditions is paying direct dividends for our members.”

Travel chaos had been expected across North London with no planned services to run from depots in Ash Grove, Barking, Clapton, Edmonton, Enfield, Palmers Green, Tottenham and Wood Green.

Unite members were balloted on the new pay offer and following its acceptance by the workforce the industrial action has been called off.

The union said the pay increase was the best deal across the London bus network and Unite will now be seeking a similar increase at other bus companies in the capital.

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