THE strike that has brought Arriva bus services to a halt in St Helens and across the North West is set to continue after drivers overwhelmingly rejected an 'improved' pay offer today.

Around 1,800 workers for the bus operator returned a 96% yes vote in favour of the industrial action that began on Wednesday, July 20. The action was in response to what union bosses had called a "pitiful" pay offer.

At the start, it was warned that the strike - which is now entering its fifth week - could go on "indefinitely".

Talks aimed at resolving the dispute have broken down many times over the course of the strike.

Arriva drivers had been balloted on an 'improved' pay offer this week that, it was hoped, would bring the current strike action to a close.

However, it emerged this afternoon that more than three-quarters of drivers voted to reject the deal and continue with strike action.

Arriva said it was "incredibly disappointed" union members had voted not to accept the pay offer and would continue to do all it could to resolve the dispute as quickly as possible.

George Patterson, GMB regional organiser, said: “Working people are facing the worst cost of living crisis for a generation. These drivers are fighting for a fair pay rise to help them through it.

“We need something better from Arriva. Bus drivers need to know that they’ll be able to cover their bills.

“We won’t stop fighting for our members to get the decent pay they deserve.”

An Arriva statement read: "We are incredibly disappointed that Unite and GMB members have voted not to accept our latest pay offer, inflicting yet further disruption and misery on our customers in the North West.

"Following the rejection of our latest pay offer today we agreed to meet the Union's pay demand in an attempt to end this strike action. 

"The Unions responded by significantly increasing their pay demand for the second time in this process. This brings into question their intentions.

"The Unions are fully aware of the financial implications we face and the implications for our customers and local bus networks across the North West.

"We will continue to do all we can to resolve this dispute as quickly as possible.

"We understand the detrimental impact this situation is having on our customers, our communities, our local economy - we urge the unions to reconsider their position, act in good faith and show a genuine willingness to resolve this dispute for the benefit of their members and our customers."