Misery for commuters as bus drivers strike
Date published: 25 May 2016
First Manchester bus
Major disruption hit local commuters yesterday as more than 700 bus drivers went on strike across Greater Manchester.
The strike action caused around 50 services across Greater Manchester to be cancelled or reduced - there was an increase in cars on the roads and reported overcrowding on the Metrolink.
First Manchester brought managers in from across the region to drive buses.
Unite accused First Manchester of pushing through changes to conditions without negotiation.
Unite regional officer Neil Clarke said: "There's about seven or eight issues that have been articulated. They range from non-payment of certain elements of pay, to not honouring holidays, to changes in the way drivers' time is calculated, and the way people are treated in general in terms of procedure."
First Manchester says the walkouts are "unnecessary and unjustified".
Mr Clarke accused First Manchester of being "in denial", adding: "As soon as the workforce responds, the management are thrown into confusion. They thought they could continue to breach agreements and get away with it."
Do you have a story for us?
Let us know by emailing news@rochdaleonline.co.uk
All contact will be treated in confidence.
Most Viewed News Stories
- 1“We’re not safe”: Furious locals looking to sell up and move after controversial homeless complex...
- 2Rochdale’s peregrine falcons lay first egg in their new nesting box
- 3Controversial plans to build homes on beloved green space mysteriously withdrawn
- 4Four-year-old boy battling leukemia dies
- 5Two suspected family gold burglars arrested in Rochdale
To contact the Rochdale Online news desk, email news@rochdaleonline.co.uk or visit our news submission page.
To get the latest news on your desktop or mobile, follow Rochdale Online on Twitter and Facebook.