400 workers take strike action in growing pay dispute at North Yorkshire manufacturer

Hundreds of employees at Alexander Dennis in Scarborough are taking further industrial action over a pay row. (Image: Unite)

Pay strikes have intensified as 400 workers take strike action in a growing dispute at a North Yorkshire manufacturer.

Four hundred employees at Scarborough-based bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis have rejected a four per cent pay offer, says the UK’s leading union, Unite.

The offer has been described as insufficient given long-term stagnation in wage growth.

Workers have already taken 12 days of industrial action since late June, with further strikes planned for tomorrow, Tuesday, August 11, and Wednesday, August 12.

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Unite says the Scarborough facility will be shut down during the strike, and the union has warned that additional action will be scheduled if the dispute is not resolved.

Scarborough Alexander Dennis staff strike in pay row.

(Image: Unite)

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."

The dispute centres on pay increases that the union argues have failed to keep pace with inflation.

Between August 2021 and May 2026, the Retail Prices Index (RPI) rose by 35.1 per cent, while wages at Alexander Dennis grew by just 15.3 per cent, leaving pay nearly 20 per cent behind the cost of living.

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 has previously expressed disappointment that its proposal was rejected and stressed at the time that the firm remained willing to continue talks.

A spokesperson told the media: "The UK bus manufacturing sector is under intense pressure. Costs are rising and half of all new buses now come from overseas.

"We are committed to working with the union and our team members to bring this matter to a resolution."

The Press has contacted Alexander Dennis for a comment and will include this when received.