Scarborough Alexander Dennis bus maker pay strikes intensify
Workers have rejected a pay offer
Last updated 11th Aug 2026
Pay strikes by 400 Scarborough workers employed by bus maker Alexander Dennis have intensified, Unite, the union, has said.
The workers have rejected a four per cent offer from Alexander Dennis, which is owned by Canadian bus manufacturing group NFI, after the cost-of-living crisis was compounded by years of sub-par pay increases.
Unite general secretary, Sharon Graham, said: “Alexander Dennis’ owners NFI can fully afford to make a pay offer that begins to tackle the real terms pay cuts workers have experienced. These workers have Unite’s full support in striking to achieve that.”
Unite says NFI’s latest financial report for the second quarter of 2026, published last week, showed revenues increased by 18.6 per cent to over $1 billion (US). Profits (EBITA) were $104.0 million, an increase of 46.9 per cent year-over-year with an order book of $12.5 billion.
The workers have already taken 12 days of strike action beginning in late June. Fresh strikes, shutting down the company’s Scarborough operations, will take place on 11 and 12 August. Further industrial action will be scheduled if the dispute is not resolved.
Unite regional officer, Dan Stephens, said: “The workers’ resolve is rock solid – Alexander Dennis must put forward an offer that is acceptable to our members. This dispute will not end until this happens.”
Alexander Dennis disputes the claim made by Unite that “The workers have already taken 12 days of strike action beginning in late June.” It says it believes seven days is representative of the total number of productive days lost (inclusive of this week’s planned industrial action).
A spokesperson said: “Alexander Dennis is one of the top-paying employers in Scarborough and has made a very fair and above-inflation offer of a 4% pay rise.
“The UK bus manufacturing sector is under intense pressure – costs are rising and half of all new buses now come from overseas.
“Unite has been actively involved in lobbying government for greater support for UK bus manufacturing which would support the Scarborough site and the union has full knowledge of the sector-specific challenges we face.
“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.”