ARRIVA bus engineers in Luton will strike over the company’s “despicable response” to serious sexual harassment and assault within the workplace, the Unite union announced today.

The workers are also striking in defence of a shop steward who was sacked after he refused to let the company ignore the issue, Unite said.

Though the individual at the centre of the allegations is no longer employed, workers are angry that Arriva dismissed the allegations as “banter” and failed to offer adequate support.

Multiple workers reported unwanted touching, simulated sexual acts and intimidation.

Workers will strike from April 27 to May 1, May 11 to 15 and May 25 to 29.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Arriva’s handling of this dreadful situation is despicable. It brings shame on the entire company.

“The concerns of these workers need to be addressed and our shop steward — fired for speaking out — must be reinstated.”

Unite regional officer Jeff Hodge said: “Strikes will continue to worsen until Arriva rights these wrongs.”

In an earlier statement, Arriva said it took “matters of this nature extremely seriously” and that suggestions of an attack on a trade union representative were “without foundation.”