Bus drivers in London will go on strike next week after rejecting a pay offer.

The strikes, which will go ahead on Monday, will involve drivers based at depots in Croydon, Norwood and Thornton Heath.

The drivers, members of Unite employed by Arriva, operate routes across south and central London.

Unite said Arriva initially offered workers a pay deal of 1.5%, which the union said was a real terms pay cut as inflation climbs to 8.2%.

The union said the company belatedly improved the offer but it still failed to meet members’ expectations.

The drivers were due to stage a 24-hour walkout last week, but following last-minute negotiations this was suspended to allow the workers to be balloted over the offer.

At the time, Unite said that if the bus drivers rejected the pay offer, a 48-hour stoppage scheduled to begin on March 28 will go ahead.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Arriva’s bus drivers are fed up with being taken for granted.

“This is a profitable business that can well afford fair wages – it needs to get real on the pay offer to our members.

“Our members at Arriva will have the union’s total support until the company makes a fair offer and this dispute is resolved.”

Unite said that is there is no imminent breakthrough in the dispute then further industrial action will be announced.