More bus strike action to affect Rochdale

Further strike action will affect bus services in Rochdale over the next four Mondays as the deadlock to reach a settlement over pay continues.

Unite, the worker's union, has announced that all 833 of its members at Bury, Bolton and Wigan bus depots will take part in a further four days of strike action on Monday 5, 12, 19 and 26 October, disrupting some Rochdale services.

Drivers have already held four 24-hour stoppages in the last few weeks as First Bus management as negotiations over a pay rise for First Bus employees continue.

Unite say they are still open to talks and turned to the conciliation service Acas on Friday (25 September) in the latest attempt to resolve the pay dispute and prevent strike action but they claim that First Bus failed to break the deadlock.

Unite industrial organiser, Bobby Morton, said: “The determination among our members is resolute. We will continue strike action until First Bus do the right thing and engage in meaningful talks. We have extended numerous invitations to First Bus to prevent this situation. First Bus' actions - or lack of them - are a disgrace.

“We went to Acas to help fight our case but First Bus seems happy to sit tight rather than get round the table with the union and stop further disruption to the people of Manchester.

“Our members have made it clear that they will not sit back and do nothing while First Bus sits on piles of cash. We hope this new wave of strike action will make First Bus listen to its employees.

“We are urging First Bus to put a fair pay offer on the table and put an end to strike action.”

Unite members working in First Bus are holding a national delegates meeting tomorrow (Thursday 1 October) to discuss First’s national pay freeze.