Bus strikes suspended while workers ballot on latest pay offer

Strikes by hundreds of Greater Manchester bus drivers have been suspended following new pay offers.

Trade union, Unite, said its members employed by First Manchester have called off industrial action, due to take place next week on September 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8, while they ballot on whether to accept the company’s latest pay offer.

Around 360 First Manchester drivers based in Oldham, all members of Unite the Union, have been taking industrial action since July 3.

Unite also said that strike action plans by Greater Manchester Accessible Transport (GMAT) workers has been put on hold to allow Unite members to be balloted on a better offer.

Unite regional officer, Colin Hayden, said: “Following improved offers from First Manchester and GMAT, Unite has, as an act of good faith, suspended strikes while our members are balloted on the new deals.”

However, the union warned that fresh strike action will be scheduled if the workers reject the new deals.

Rob Hughes, operations director of First Manchester, said today: “We are delighted to have agreed a settlement and that Unite has postponed its industrial action immediately.

“Unite has confirmed the union will recommend our latest pay offer to its members in a ballot next week.

“Our team remains focused on delivering excellent services in Oldham and the wider region. We would like to thank our customers for their patience and understanding throughout our determined efforts to end this dispute.”

First Manchester made an improved pay offer to staff in Oldham on August 23, which it said is worth more than £5,200, in a bid to end ongoing industrial action.

The company said the offer means a pay increase to £15 per hour backdated to April and a further rise to £15.60 from October, with no strings attached.

Overall, it said this represents a 15.6% increase in pay over the period, double the latest rate of inflation at 7.9%.