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Union leaders have blamed bus giant Arriva for tomorrow’s bus strike - saying the company has “snatched defeat from the jaws of victory”.

There will be no Arriva bus services in Merseyside tomorrow as drivers and engineer at 11 depots across the North West walk out in a row over pay.

The GMB union has warned of traffic chaos on the region’s roads when services stop, while Unite says Arriva could have resolved the dispute at last-ditch talks yesterday.

More strikes are also set to take place on the next two Mondays.

Both unions say Arriva’s pay offer of an increase of up to 2.6% is too low.

Arriva insists that it has made a fair pay offer and has urged unions to get back around the table.

Neil Clarke, regional officer with Unite, said: “We put an offer to the employer that would completely have satisfied the aspirations of our members, was easily affordable for the employer. And they chose to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

“They could have resolved this yesterday “Yesterday’s talks broke down because the employer didn’t have the desire to bridge the gap.

“It’s not about their ability to pay. It’s about their willingness. They’re a massive group and they make a fortune.”

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Mr Clarke said drivers did not want to go on strike.

He said: “What often gets overlooked in a dispute like this is that bus drivers are first and foremost ordinary people, workers, family people who are members of their community. I don’t know any bus driver who would want to inflict harm on their family and friends.”

Eddie Parker, GMB Regional Secretary, said: “GMB’s hard working Arriva members just want a fair deal – like everybody else.

“The final pay off made by the company represents an increase between 1.6% and 2.6%.

(Image: Liverpool Echo)

“Yesterday inflation hit 3%, so this is in effect a real terms pay cut for members.

“No one wants to go on strike and our members are taking industrial action as a last resort.

“With 11 sites affected across Merseyside commuters should be aware of potential traffic chaos.”

Phil Stone, managing director for Arriva North West, said earlier today that the strike was “disappointing”.

He said: “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.”