Misery for commuters as bus drivers strike

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."