BUS passengers are being warned as Arriva North West staff are set to stage a series of one-day strikes starting tomorrow.

Members of Unite will also walk out of work on October 23 and 30 in a dispute over pay.

More than 2,000 bus drivers and engineering staff are expected to strike.

There will be no buses running in Winsford on all three days.

Neil Clarke, Unite regional officer, said: “Arriva is owned by the German transport giant Deutsche Bahn AG and has huge financial resources.

“All we are seeking is a fair and reasonable pay award against a backdrop of spiralling inflation and soaring living costs.

“Our members are fed up with pitiful pay offers and Arriva’s ‘pick and mix’ approach to wages where some depots get a pay rise and others don’t.

“This has resulted in wage inequality across a number of depots and is in stark contrast to the company’s claim to be an industry leader in the treatment of its workforce.

“We urge Arriva to put its money where its mouth is and stop treating its loyal workforce so abysmally and that it starts investing in the people who generate the wealth within the business.”

Unite is calling for the company to take steps to address wage inequality between depots which currently can be as much as £1.73 an hour.

Phil Stone, managing director for Arriva North West, said: “It is disappointing that following a further meeting with Unite and GMB yesterday and two improved offers being made they are proceeding with disruptive strike action.

“We believe that we have tabled a fair pay deal for our drivers in the region.

“Arriva North West wholeheartedly apologises to our customers for the disruption this strike action will cause to their journeys.

“However, we can confirm that Arriva customers with pre-paid tickets travelling in Merseyside will be able to use them on the Merseyrail network, and that all Arriva tickets will be accepted on the Stagecoach Quality Network Routes.

“We remain committed to working together with UNITE and GMB to reach a mutually acceptable outcome, however any pay increase has to be sustainable for the business going forward.

“We are urging our trade union colleagues to reconsider their position and get back round the negotiating table and call off the strike action that will unnecessarily disrupt many thousands of passengers.”

Customers can follow Arriva on Twitter on @arrivanorthwest and Facebook @northwestarriva for more information about the services relating to the strike dates.

To enquire about specific bus services, call 0344 8004411.