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The 400 workers at the UK Bus Factory are continuing their strike on July 16–20, 2026. Alexander Dennis of Eastfield near Scarborough is to be back in the news with a new round of strikes by its UK-based bus factory workers starting 400 to pay the company for a better pay offer, starting from 16-20 July 2026. Years of pay rises below the rate of inflation have made the workforce very much poorer, and trade union Unite has rejected a 4% pay rise, insisting the workers deserve much more. Let’s get the whole story.
Quick Facts
| Who | ~400 workers at Alexander Dennis, Eastfield (Scarborough) |
| Strike dates | 16–20 July 2026 |
| Previous strike | 25 June – 1 July 2026 |
| A payment has been made, and it is now on the table. | 4% increase |
| Union’s argument | Wages up ~15% over 5 years; inflation up ~35% (RPI) |
| Union | Unite |
| The company’s position | Offer is fair and under intense pressure; Sector is above inflation. |
| Resolution | There are no published strikes at this time — more strike dates threatened |
What’s the Dispute About?
It’s all about spending money. UK bus factory workers at the Eastfield plant have enjoyed wage increases of around 15% in the last five years, compared with Retail Price Index inflation of around 35% during the same time period, Unite says. Put simply, they don’t have as many dollars in their pockets today as they did five years ago.
Union members say that the 4% offer by the company is not doing anything to fill that deficit. Strike action will persist until a “fair offer” is on the table, Unite’s general secretary has said on numerous occasions.
What Does Each Side Say?
| Company | Unite | |
| On the pay offer | Competitive, fair and above inflation for the Scarborough area | Fails to meet the needs for real-terms pay reductions over the years |
| In the sector | Vigorously competing for survival, UK bus manufacturing has been reduced to half the number of new buses produced. | The workers’ work should be better rewarded. |
| On resolution | Willing to engage in discussions based on the practical reality of business | The unions will strike indefinitely until a better offer is made. |
The company is calling the situation “incredibly disappointing” but claims it will work towards a resolution, and any agreement must reflect economic realities that are relevant to the UK bus manufacturing industry.
Strike Timeline
It’s not the first walkout. In the first round of industrial action, bus factory workers in the UK already embarked on a strike from 25 June to 1 July 2026. It did not affect the company’s stance, so that strike led directly to the July 16–20 strike. Unite has made it clear that if there is no movement in this round, then there will be more dates. The labour strike appears as if it’s going nowhere.
Why It Matters Beyond Scarborough
Alexander Dennis is one of the UK’s major bus-producing facilities, and longer strikes by workers at the bus factories have repercussions throughout the industry. The loss of production coincides with a challenging period for the company, as it said it now imports 50% of new buses in the UK from overseas. The conflict highlights broader issues of competitiveness in UK manufacturing and how much wage union negotiations are able to overcome the divide between workers’ demands and business realities.
FAQs
When will the next strike at the bus factory be?
The second strike is from 16 to 20 July 2026.
What was the reason for the workers to refuse the 4% pay rise?
The offer fails to compensate for lost purchasing power as workers, and Unite believes they have seen a gain of about 15% over five years compared with the rate of inflation (around 35% using RPI).
Will there be more strikes after July 20th?
If the dispute does not resolve after this round, then further strike dates will be called by Unite.
What is Alexander Dennis’ opinion on the controversy?
On the other hand, the company states it offered a fair above-inflation offer, and that the UK’s bus manufacturing sector is under serious cost pressure with a lot of competition coming from overseas manufacturers.
Will there be a solution to this problem?
Not yet. There has been no better offer made on the table, with both sides reportedly willing to talk.
Key Takeaways
- Another strike by 400 UK bus factory workers at Alexander Dennis over a pay dispute, 16–20 July 2026
- A 4% offer was rejected by the workers, and their wages increased by ~15% over 5 years, with inflation being at ~35%.
- This is the second wave of strikes; the first one was 25 June – 1 July 2026.
- Unite says industrial action will last until an improved offer is made that is genuinely improved.
- Competition from overseas manufacturers, particularly in the wide UK bus industry, is putting pressure on the price of buses.
- If this round doesn’t resolve the deadlock, there will be more strike dates.
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