COMMUTERS and pupils returning to school next week have been told to expect disruption as a raft of strikes have been planned by bus operators.
On Monday, September 5, bus drivers working for Arriva – the largest operator in Kent – are set to walk out over pay.
The industrial action will see around 800 workers who belong to the Unite union down tools at depots in Turnbridge Wells, Northfleet, Gillingham and Maidstone.
Further strike action is also planned for next Friday (September 16) as well as Tuesday, September 20 and Friday, September 30.
The walk outs, which were balloted for last month, had been delayed while negotiations with Unite officials and Arriva bosses took place.
But in a statement last week, the bus company, which is owned by German company Deutsche Bahn, conceded that talks had broken down, despite a 7.8 per cent pay offer.
Full story in next week’s Times.
