Scarborough Alexander Dennis bus makers to strike over pay
Union Unite says around 400 workers will walk out
Around 400 Scarborough workers, employed by bus maker Alexander Dennis, will strike over pay, Unite, the UK’s leading union, said today.
It said the workers have rejected a four per cent offer from the company after the cost-of-living crisis was compounded by years of sub-par pay increases.
Between August 2021 and May 2026, the Retail Prices Index (RPI) rose by approximately 35.1 per cent, meaning prices increased by about a third over that period.
During the same period, wages at Alexander Dennis increased by only 15.3 per cent, meaning wages have fallen 19.8 per cent behind the cost of living.
Unite general secretary, Sharon Graham, said: “These workers have suffered a dramatic drop in their real terms pay. They have had enough. Alexander Dennis needs to put forward a pay increase that reflects their loyalty, hard work and patience. They have Unite’s total support in taking strike action to achieve that.”
The workers voted by 81 per cent in favour of strike action. They will strike from 25 June to 1 July.
Unite says industrial action will shut down the factory’s operations and further strike dates will be scheduled if the dispute is not resolved.
Unite regional officer, Dan Stephen, said: “There is still time for Alexander Dennis to avoid industrial action and the disruption it will cause, but that will require an offer our members can accept. Otherwise, this dispute will continue to escalate.”
A spokesperson for Alexander Dennis 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. 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.”
Background statement from Alexander Dennis:
• UK annual inflation rate, measured by the Consumer Prices Index (CPI), is 2.8% and UK wage growth is 3.6%.
• Unite the Union have been actively involved in lobbying government for support for UK bus manufacturing and the union has also been involved in the company’s Scottish restructuring process, so they have full knowledge of sector-specific challenges.
• Alexander Dennis pay rates for vehicle builders and operational team members are the highest in the industry.
• UK bus manufacturers are facing increasing labour, energy and other input costs and are being undercut by manufacturers in Egypt and China, which made up 51% of new zero-emission buses in the UK in 2025.
• The Company remains open to meaningful dialogue with the trade union, but it is imperative that discussions are grounded in economic and business reality and focused on long-term sustainability of the Scarborough site.