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Arriva: Bus drivers to strike in Kent and Essex over pay

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About 800 drivers will walk out after they rejected a pay increase offer of 7.8%

Arriva bus drivers in Kent and Essex are set to strike after they turned down a pay offer, union officials said.

About 800 drivers will stage a walk out, although official strike dates have yet to be announced.

It comes after Unite said Arriva offered a rise to bus drivers of 7.8%, which the union described as a "substantial pay cut" amid a UK inflation rate of 10.1%.

Arriva has been approached for comment by the BBC.

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Drivers at three depots in Essex and four in Kent will walk out

Unite's general secretary Sharon Graham said: "Offering a pay cut presented as a rise is completely unacceptable. Arriva can well afford to return with a better deal."

Drivers based at depots in Colchester, Harlow, Southend, Gillingham, Maidstone, Gravesend and Tunbridge Wells will take part in the walkout.

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