Planned bus strikes across Greater Manchester have now been suspended

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Bee Network buses arrive at Oldham bus station / Credit: TfGM

The second round of bus strikes planned across Greater Manchester this week have now been suspended.

It comes after the first set of disruptive strikes took place from 19 to 22 September, and the next lot were set to be carried out from tomorrow (Tuesday 30 September) until this Thursday (2 October) – but they have now been called off.

In case this is the first you’re hearing of the upcoming industrial action, 2,000 workers who are employed by Stagecoach, Metroline Manchester, and First Bus Rochdale – all of which are firms among those that make up the bus part of the Bee Network – were due to walk out in a co-ordinated strike amid an ongoing pay dispute.

Unite the Union says all the firms are ‘highly profitable’ and it’s therefore ‘disappointing’ that workers are being denied a fair wage.

Planned bus strikes across Greater Manchester’s Bee Network this week have been suspended / Credit: TfGM

At Stagecoach, around 1,000 drivers based across the Oldham, Stockport, and Middleton depots have rejected a pay offer of 3.5%, and 1,000 Metroline Manchester members will also do the same after turning down an ‘unsatisfactory’ below-inflation pay offer.

Workers at both Metroline and Stagecoach believe the offer doesn’t address years of low pay they’ve recieved, especially given the ongoing cost of living crisis.

Then, over at First Bus Rochdale, 110 members have rejected this year’s pay offer of 6%, as they feel this does not go far enough to address the fact they’ve had years of being paid less than their counterparts at other companies, and are still the lowest paid in the region.

Stagecoach, Metroline, and First Bus Rochdale, part of First Group PLC, are all firms which have seen a rise in profits in recent years.

2,000 drivers were set to stage strike action over two different periods / Credit: TfGM

But now, Unite the Union confirmed today that strikes will be suspended whilst it ballots members at First and Stagecoach on a revised offer.

It’s hoped that staff at Metroline will also agree the same approach today, meaning that all buses across Greater Manchester will run as normal this week.

“We’ve been working throughout the weekend, doing everything in our power to bring the negotiations between bus operators and union colleagues to a fair resolution,” explained Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham.

“This is positive progress and we’re pleased that union colleagues have now agreed to suspend strike action to ballot their members, so we encourage staff at Metroline to do the same, in turn averting any strike action taking place this week.

“I have been clear that we support the aims of the unions – bus drivers deserve a better deal. But it has to be delivered in way that’s affordable and sustainable for the Bee Network.

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“We’re hopeful that agreements can be reached between operators and unions to conclude the pay negotiations.”

Featured Image – TfGM