“SHARE some of that wealth with your workers." That was the message from Arriva bus drivers as they stood on picket lines outside the Jackson Street depot on the second day of strike action over pay.

The walkout, which is the second 24-hour strike in the past week by the Unite and GMB unions, has brought services across the borough to a standstill.

A further strike day is also planned for Monday, October 30 – with the potential of further action on every Monday in November if demands are not met.

Arriva says any pay rise needs to be sustainable for the business moving forward.

Speaking to the Star at the Jackson Street depot, Mike Stewart, secretary of the Unite North West 42 branch, said: “It’s a shame that we’ve had to do this and go on strike to show Arriva that in fact we need a good inflation pay rise, that’s all we’ve asked for 3.7.

"Since 1999 when Arriva took over, they’ve never had any industrial action, this is the first time we felt we needed to strike.

“We aren’t unreasonable people; the company is making millions of pounds; share some of that wealth with your workers.

“We are meeting with the company on Thursday for more pay talks. We are hopeful for a settlement and that the company come with more money so that this is done and dusted and we can get back to work properly.

“If not, we’ll be here on Monday (October 30) and every Monday in November until the company come to the table with more money.

“Obviously if the strike comes into effect there will be lads here with young families suffering hardship but they are willing to do that to get the company to listen to what we have to say – we are together in this.”

The GMB union said last week that the company, which made a profit of £25million last year, had offered GMB members a pay rise of just 31 pence an hour.

Customers with Arriva pre-paid tickets travelling in Merseyside will be able to use them on the Merseyrail network on all three strike days.

Furthermore, all Arriva tickets will be accepted on Stagecoach Quality Network Routes.

Mike added: “The support from the members of the public and the support from the lads and lasses that work here is fantastic it makes you feel really proud.

“We know we carry 330,000 passengers a day throughout the North West and we understand that people are inconvenienced but we hope that they understand we aren’t doing this to get to the public.

“Everybody here today works here apart from a few little kids who are here supporting with their families.

“It’s amazing, this morning when there was a full turnout I’m so proud to represent them because nobody has passed those gates. We’ve let management into work but the branch is 100 per cent strong.”

Speaking on Friday, Phil Stone, managing director for Arriva North West, said: “There have been further talks with the Union with an improved offer being made in the hope of preventing further disruptive strike action. Despite this improved offer Unite and GMB remain intent on proceeding with the planned action on Monday, October 23.

“We have tabled a fair pay deal for our drivers in the region and so continue to urge our trade union colleagues to reconsider their position and get back round the negotiating table and call off the strike action."

He said management had offered to meet for further talks before Mondays strike action to try and reach agreement.

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

“Our priority is to continue working together with Unite and GMB to reach a mutually acceptable outcome, recognising that any pay increase has to be sustainable for the business going forward.”