400 staff return to work as end of Scarborough strike action
The end of strike action by 400 workers at a major North Yorkshire bus manufacturer has been welcomed by staff and bosses.
The long-running strike action by staff at Scarborough’s Alexander Dennis has ended and will see 400 workers return to work, concluding the industrial dispute over pay.
Following intensive negotiations, the workers voted to accept a 4.5 per cent pay increase backdated to January 2026.
They will also receive a 3.5 per cent increase to their pay in January 2027.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “By taking a stand to protect living standards, these workers have achieved a deal that values their skills and protects their conditions.
“Unite will always fight to defend and improve our members’ jobs, pay and conditions.”
The company is the world’s largest manufacturer of double-decker buses and is Britain’s biggest bus builder.
Workers had been striking since June over pay and staff were set to walk out for almost two weeks this month after Unite members rejected a two-year pay offer from the company because the second year “would have left workers facing a significant real terms pay cut if inflation increases”, according to union officials.
A spokesperson for Alexander Dennis said: “An agreement has been reached that enables us to resume full manufacturing operations at our Scarborough site and continue to deliver for our customers.”
Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), they added: “The Prime Minister and metro mayors have spoken positively about the importance of the UK bus manufacturing sector.
“It is essential that those ambitions are reflected in procurement decisions that sustain skilled jobs, create more apprenticeships and deliver economic growth across the country.”
Earlier this month, Alexander Dennis secured a £57 million contract to supply Liverpool City Region Combined Authority with at least 207 new low- and zero-emission buses.
Under the contract, the number of buses could increase to 357 with a total investment of £95 million.
Unite regional officer Dan Stephens said: “With the dispute now settled, our members are focused on getting back to proudly building world-class buses.
“Unite will continue to campaign relentlessly to ensure public transport authorities buy UK-made buses that support skilled unionised jobs like those at Alexander Dennis.”
Alison Hume, the MP for Scarborough and Whitby, previously said: “Alexander Dennis is a major employer in Scarborough, supporting hundreds of local livelihoods and playing a vital role in our economy.
“While the company faces intense competition from overseas manufacturers, the workforce, without doubt, remains its greatest asset.”