Third day of strikes affect Rochdale bus services

Further strike action is affecting bus services in Rochdale today (Monday 21 September).
Workers at First Bus based in Wigan, Bolton and Bury are taking part in a third 24 hour strike in a fight over fair pay.

Further all day stoppages are planned for Monday 28 September unless the dispute over pay can be resolved.

Councillor David White, Chairman of Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority's Bus Network and GMPTE Services Committee, said: "Whilst the Authority is not party to this dispute, we are calling on both sides to make every effort possible to deliver a solution that will end the industrial action quickly.

"The last two strikes have already caused significant disruption to the public transport network in the north and west of the conurbation. We want to ensure that passengers do not see any further disruption to their bus services."

GMPTE is advising passengers to explore alternative travel options and to expect demand on services provided by other operators, as well as on trains and trams, to be significantly greater. Extra time should also be allowed for journeys.

Unite regional industrial organiser, Bobby Morton, said: “We are disappointed that despite repeated efforts by Unite and Acas the employers are still refusing to get around the table to negotiate a fair and decent offer.

“First Bus is not struggling or failing. It made millions of pounds in profits this year and is taking advantage of the recession to attack workers’ pay.

“We were hopeful that First Bus would play fairly and put a reasonable pay offer on the table in time to call off Monday’s strike action and stop disruption to commuters in Manchester. However, this has not happened and the company is continuing to be mean and greedy. Our members deserve a fair wage and we are determined to see that they get it.

“We are calling on the company to meet us to resolve this dispute and avoid the risk of further disruption on Monday 28th September.”