NEARLY 400 Arriva bus drivers across North Wales are being balloted for strike action in a dispute with their employer regarding pay.

Members of the ‘Unite the Union’ trade union who are based at depots including Amlwch, Bangor, Hawarden, Llandudno, Rhyl and Wrexham will take part in the ballot.

If Unite members vote for strike action, bus services across the region will be seriously disrupted.

Unite regional officer, Jo Goodchild, said: “Arriva’s refusal to put forward an adequate pay increase means Unite has no choice but to ballot for industrial action.

“Our bus drivers have been true heroes during the pandemic. They have played a crucial (role) in keeping the country moving, ensuring our hospital staff and other key workers were able to get to work during the pandemic.

“Disgracefully, despite all their efforts, they have been subjected to verbal abuse, sometimes even physical abuse from passengers, while trying to ensure everybody’s safety whilst travelling on board the vehicles.

“Low pay and tough working conditions have led to a significant number of bus driver shortages across North Wales and the public is facing bus services being cut on a weekly basis.

“This is all down to Arriva and other companies simply not paying the rate for the job.

“Our members have had enough. It is time for Arriva to stop the rot, think again and give our members the decent pay award they deserve.”

The ballot of bus of bus drivers across six depots opens on Monday, October 11 and closes on Tuesday, October 26.

If the workers vote in favour of industrial action, strikes could start as early as November.

This follows Unite’s announcement last week that, in the north west of England, roughly 1,800 Arriva workers would also be balloted regarding strike action, and that Stagecoach members in the region would vote on whether to take action as part of a nationwide vote.

An Arriva bus driver in North Wales who is in favour of the potential strike said: “I know it (a strike) is going to cause them problems, but I think the public would agree with us. The atmosphere has just got really bad at the moment.

“In the last six months, a large majority of long-serving drivers have left due to wage and working conditions. This has been highlighted to higher management, but has been overlooked.

“Some of the shifts they were giving us were two days of earlies, two days of lates, and then back on earlies again. You’re not capable of working under that pressure; it’s not safe.

“We didn’t get any respect; we were just treated the same as everyone else. We got all the bad shifts, and didn’t even get a ‘thank you’ off anybody.”

A spokesperson for Arriva UK Bus said: “We continue to engage in discussions with our trade union partners and remain committed to reaching an agreement.

“As the country recovers from COVID and returns to public transport, it’s important that we work together to deliver the best possible service to our customers.”