Bus users have been told to find alternative travel.
Arriva bus workers across Milton Keynes are now on strike for two days, over Monday 5th and Tuesday 6th September.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Arriva and Deutsche Bahn have funnelled money made by these workers out of the country for years. It is abundantly clear they can afford to pay a decent increase. Instead, and during the worst cost of living crisis for decades, they are asking them to take a real terms wage cut.
“Unite will not accept attacks on our members jobs, pay and conditions and the Arriva workforce will receive Unite’s total support until Arriva comes back with an acceptable offer.”
READ MORE: £2 cap on single bus fares announced in England to save passengers money
Picket line outside Milton Keynes Bus Depot.
— Taj Ali (@Taj_Ali1) September 5, 2022
Arriva bus drivers across Beds, Bucks and Herts are on strike today and tomorrow to demand better than real-terms pay cuts. 48 hour picket lines in operation until 3AM Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/UZ8MxZltPr
Unite regional officer Jeff Hodge said: “Our members are striking as a last resort because Arriva is refusing to offer a reasonable pay rise, despite being more than able to afford to. The company is responsible for the severe disruption these strikes will cause. We urge them to return with an offer our members can accept to end this dispute as soon as possible.”
Strike action is being taken by staff at Arriva’s depots in Luton, Aylesbury, High Wycombe, Milton Keynes, Ware, Stevenage and Hemel Hempstead.
The Labour Group in Milton Keynes are now joining the 'long campaigned' call to put buses back under local authority control.
Councillor Jenny Wilson-Marklew, Labour Cabinet Member for Public Transport, believes that giving local authorities more power over buses will better regulate the industry, improve the treatment of workers, and offer better service for residents.
She has released the following statement: “Private bus companies are making cuts to services and workers are unhappy with their conditions – all while the Council don’t have the powers nor the resources to intervene.
"This is something that needs to change. Bus companies should fall under local authority control, so the Council can put the interests and needs of residents and workers above those of profits and shareholders.”
READ MORE: Milton Keynes Labour call for councils to be given control over buses amid strike action
