Bus passengers in Hertfordshire are facing further disruption after more strike action was confirmed.

Arriva employees are set to walk out again on Friday September 16, Tuesday September 20, and Friday September 30.

A statement issued by Arriva today (September 8) said: “Following two days of industrial action across the region this week, Unite the Union have confirmed further strike action will take place.”

The strike will affect Arriva bus services across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Bedfordshire, as well as the Click service in Watford. 

Read more: Arriva staff join picket line in Watford

The bus company says it recognises this will be "disappointing news" for customers and says it will keep people informed on which bus routes that will stay running on planned strike days. Routes 724 and 86 kept running during strike action on September 5 and 6.

Watford Observer: A banner at Watford Junction this week. Image: Twitter: @FllwthebearA banner at Watford Junction this week. Image: Twitter: @Fllwthebear (Image: Twitter: @Fllwthebear)

The dispute involving around 900 bus workers is the biggest locally for many years with Unite unhappy with the level of pay rise offered by Arriva.

The trade union said: “Staff voted to strike after Arriva, whose UK bus division has paid a total of £560 million to parent company Deutsche Bahn during the last ten years, offered a ‘strings attached’ pay deal.

“Arriva is offering drivers, admin staff, engineers, cleaners and shunters pay rises of between four per cent and six per cent. With the real rate of inflation, RPI, running at 11.8&, Unite says this is a real terms pay cut.”

Unite also said tied to the pay offer for drivers is a reduction of 16.6 per cent in overtime rates and an end to paid time for compulsory duties outside of driving, such as travelling to a bus stop to pick up a bus mid-route. 

Read more: Three Rivers bus shelters receive electronic displays

Read more: ArrivaClick in Watford could be axed if number of passengers fails to ramp up

Watford Observer: A strike was held at Watford Junction railway station earlier this week. Image: Twitter: @FllwthebearA strike was held at Watford Junction railway station earlier this week. Image: Twitter: @Fllwthebear (Image: Twitter: @Fllwthebear)

After the latest bout of strike action, a spokesperson for Arriva said: “We have put forward a significant pay offer for our employees, which recognises the great work that they do and reflects the unprecedented cost-of-living challenge facing the region.  

“However, any pay rise has to be affordable in order to protect the long-term sustainability of the bus network. We urge Unite the union to work with us by suspending strike action and allow members to vote on this increase.”

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