COMMUTER chaos looks set to continue after GMB and Unite members rejected Arriva’s one pence per hour pay offer.

A further nine strikes are now expected to take place in December as the staff members continue their protest.

The dispute has already seen the North West grind to a halt during several days of industrial action.

Eddie Parker, GMB organiser, said: “It comes as no surprise GMB and Unite members voted to reject this offer by an overwhelming majority.

"A pay increase of just one pence per hour is nothing more than a kick in the teeth to our hard-working members who keep the North West moving every day.”

"Arriva pays directors millions, yet can’t afford to give staff the wages they need to pay the rent and put food on their families’ tables.

"Instead of sitting back, trousering their massive salaries, Arriva's top brass need to stop and think about the wellbeing of their staff, and how the people in the North West are going to get to work every day."

The proposed strike dates are Monday, December 4, Thursday 7, Tuesday 12, Wednesday 13, Thursday 14, Wednesday 20, Thursday 21, Friday 22 and Saturday 23.

The bus strikes first begun in October and it is possible that strike action could continue into the new year. Drivers in Bolton hit the picket line in November, with around 2,000 Arriva North West staff and engineers from depots across the North West taking part.