Manchester bus strikes set to start after drivers reject latest pay offer

Stagecoach bus drivers in Manchester will hold strike action this Friday (August 11), after rejecting a renewed pay offer.

More than 1,000 Unite the Union members will take part in the action which will affect bus services on August 11, 12, 13 and 14.

They rejected management’s latest offer on the grounds that it would deprive them of back pay, the union said.

Unite said that while an improved offer of around 14.3% was made – taking the hourly rate to £16 an hour – the deal would have been implemented from September, rather than June, the agreed anniversary date for pay rises. Instead, a £750 one off payment in lieu of full back pay was offered.

The union said that Stagecoach’s latest financial report showed its adjusted profit before tax increased 98% to £36.4m in the six months to October 29, 2022. For the 2021/2022 financial year, Stagecoach reported revenues of almost £1.2bn with adjusted profits of £72.7m, it said.

Unite general secretary, Sharon Graham, said: “Stagecoach is making huge profits and can afford to improve this ‘strings-attached’ offer to one that is implemented from the correct anniversary date.

“Stagecoach has unnecessarily dragged out a dispute that could have been resolved months ago and is now trying to shift the goalposts. Our members at Stagecoach Manchester will receive their union’s full backing as they strike for a fair pay rise.”

More strike dates will be scheduled if the dispute is not resolved, Unite warned.

Drivers will mount picket lines at Stagecoach’s Ashton and Sharston depots from 5am each morning.

Unite regional officer, Colin Haydon, said: “Our members do a difficult and challenging role and will not accept a deal that deprives them of months of pay they are entitled to. Their resolve is rock solid – the only way this dispute will end is if Stagecoach puts forward an acceptable offer.”

Lee Wasnidge, managing director of Stagecoach Manchester, said: “The strike will be damaging to everybody and cause severe disruption to our customers who depend on the bus to get to work, education and for appointments.

“Our offer would make Stagecoach drivers amongst the best-paid in the region with excellent terms and conditions. It is, therefore, incredibly disappointing that our above rate of inflation deal, has been rejected.

“We are focused on finalising an agreement as quickly as possible to avoid any industrial action and remain fully committed to engaging in further discussions with Unite the Union to enable us to reach a resolution as quickly as possible.”

During the strike dates Stagecoach will be operating the following limited services only between 07:00 hours and 19:00 hours.

• Service 43 – every 15 minutes
• Service 192 – every 15 minutes (Hazel Grove to Manchester) and every 15 minutes (Stepping Hill Hospital to Manchester)
• Service 201 – every 15 minutes
• Service 203 – every 15 minutes
• Service 219 – every 15 minutes

Services operating out of Stagecoach Manchester’s Middleton and Wigan Depots are unaffected by this action and the following services will operate as normal.

Middleton services: 56, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 149, 171, 172, 350, 426.

The following services will also run on Sunday: 129, 343, 415.

Wigan services: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 10A, 34, 34A.