ARRIVA bus services will be suspended from Sunday (November 14) until mid-December after the company and union members failed come to an agreement.

Further talks involving the company and Unite the Union failed to satisfy members, with Arriva "failing present a meaningful offer".

From 6am on Sunday, no Arriva services will run in North Wales, which includes North Wales services to and from Chester.

For the duration of the industrial action journey planning in the Wales region on the Arriva website and Arriva UK Bus App will be disabled

Arriva Buses Wales has expressed "disappointment" at the news.

A spokesperson: “We are extremely disappointed that despite extensive discussions and a number of improved offers, which would have increased our driver pay to £11.59 per hour back-paid to January 2021 and a further increase to £12 per hour in 2022, our customers are still facing a strike this Sunday with no Arriva Buses Wales services able to run if it goes ahead.

“We have worked tirelessly to avoid this strike, which is why we have consistently come up with new offers, while the trade unions have refused to negotiate. Both parties have now agreed to mediation through Acas and while this is a welcome step, we would urge Unite to immediately call off the strike this Sunday to give mediation a chance to move us forward without causing disruption to customers and the communities we serve.

“Arriva prides itself on being a great employer which is why our drivers have received continuous year-on year wage increases going back to 2008. It is also the reason we pay higher wages than any other bus company in Wales and why we remain committed to finding a way forward.”

However, a discrepancy in the pay between North Wales drivers and those working in the north west of England is at the centre of the issue.

Arriva Cymru drivers were reportedly offered a 29p an hour increase whilst Arriva workers over the border in the North West of England have been offered 39p.

In addition to this, the current pay differential between Welsh and North West Arriva drivers is £1.81 an hour.

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Unite the Union said: "Following further talks with Arriva Buses Wales today, the company has failed to present a meaningful offer, so strike action will begin this Sunday as planned.

"Our members are prepared to fight for the fair wage that they deserve and will have our full support."

Arriva urges all customers to check one of the following for updates before travelling:

● Arriva on Twitter @arrivabuswales and Facebook @arrivabuseswales for further information about the services relating to the strike dates.

● Phone enquiries about local bus service and tickets to Arriva customer services on 0344 800 44 11.