First Manchester bus drivers to strike again in July

Further strikes by First Manchester bus drivers are set to take place this month on the 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 28 and 31 July, and on the 2, 4, 7, 10 and 11 August.

The strikes coincide with RMT strikes on Northern train services on 20 and 22 July, which will see early morning services on 21 and 23 July also disrupted due to the impact strikes have on fleet displacement.

 

Read more: More RMT strikes on the way next week: Northern advises customers of very limited servicesPublished: 14 July 2023

Strike action began earlier this month with around 360 bus drivers voting against a new pay offer.

First has since revised its previous two-part offer with a three-part deal. The split would see a rise backdated from April, with another implemented from October and a final one in January.

The operator says the 15.2% pay increase would make Oldham depot drivers ‘some of the best paid in the region’ and also refutes claims by Unite that the offer is ‘subpar’ or that there are problems with driver shortages.

Ian Humphreys, Managing Director of First Manchester, said: “We have been in discussions about pay since February and amended our ‘no strings’ offer to bring forward a further increase in pay to this October and this was rejected.

“This would have made our drivers some of the best-paid in the region.”

Mr Humphreys added: “Announcing further strike dates is not the way to get this situation resolved.

“Continued industrial action will be damaging to everyone and cause yet more severe disruption to the daily lives of our customers who rely on the bus to get to work, education and for appointments.”

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “First Manchester can dress it up any way they want but the fact is the drivers will not accept a split pay deal. It’s not like they can pay their rent and supermarket bills in three instalments. 

“The company can afford to come back with a deal that takes into account the strains of the job and the cost of living and which is implemented in one go. Our First Manchester members have Unite’s full backing as they strike to achieve that.”

Tickets purchased on a strike day will not be refunded and customers are advised to check if a service is operating. Customers with pre-bought tickets for strike dates will be given a refund or replacement tickets to use for future travel.

School services will continue to operate during strikes.

Further information is available on a dedicated page of the First Manchester website.