Scarborough and Whitby MP Alison Hume has expressed her support for the concerns of approximately 400 workers preparing to strike over a pay dispute at the Alexander Dennis bus factory.
The Scarborough MP says she ‘recognises the concerns’ of hundreds of staff who are expected to go on strike at a major bus factory.
Around 400 workers are due to walk out for a second time in weeks at the bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis’ Scarborough factory in a dispute over wages.
Alison Hume, the Labour MP for Scarborough and Whitby, said she recognises the concerns being raised by staff who rejected a four per cent offer from the company after “the cost-of-living crisis was compounded by years of sub-par pay increases”.
The first round of strike action took place from June 25 to July 1, and staff are set to strike again, shutting down the factory’s operations from July 16 to 20.
Union officials have warned that further strikes are possible if the dispute is not resolved.
Ms Hume said:
“I recognise the concerns being raised by employees at Alexander Dennis and understand the strength of feeling among staff during this dispute.
“They play a vital role in making Scarborough a centre of excellence for bus manufacturing, and their voices deserve to be heard.
“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.”
The union Unite said that between August 2021 and May 2026, the Retail Prices Index (RPI) rose by approximately 35.1 per cent and factoring in pay rises increases to date, the wages of workers had fallen 19.8 per cent behind the cost of living.
Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), the MP said her priority was to see a fair resolution that protected jobs and gave people confidence about the future.
Ms Hume added:
“I urge the company and the union to continue constructive dialogue and find a solution that works for employees – therefore securing even greater opportunities moving forward for the Scarborough site.
“More broadly, I have consistently pressed for more weight to be given to social value in public procurement decisions. When taxpayers’ money is being spent on new buses, we should be supporting British buses and British jobs.”
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said:
“These workers have seen their pay plummet in real terms. Enough is enough.
“Alexander Dennis must come back with a pay offer that matches their hard work and commitment. Strikes will not end until that happens.”
A spokesperson for Alexander Dennis previously said it was “one of the top-paying employers in Scarborough” and had made “a very fair and above-inflation offer of a four per cent pay rise”.
They added:
“The UK bus manufacturing sector is under intense pressure – costs are rising and half of all new buses now come from overseas. Against this backdrop, it is incredibly disappointing that our offer has been rejected.
“We are committed to working with the union and our team members to bring this matter to a resolution. We do not expect customer deliveries to be affected in the meantime.”
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