Some keen-eyed regular bus users in Bolton, Wigan and Leigh may have noticed the recent splash of Bee Network yellow to all three stations.
18.07.2023 - 18:09 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
First Manchester bus drivers have announced six more strike days as a row over pay rumbles on. Industrial action by around 360 Unite trade union members will now stretch into next month following today's announcement.
The drivers were already striking from July 21-25 and on July 28. But now they're also planning to walk out on July 31 and August 2, 4, 7, 10 and 11.
First Manchester say it has offered drivers a 15.2 per cent pay rise that will make them 'some of the best-paid in the region'. But Unite say the drivers are paid around £1 less per hour than other Greater Manchester bus companies and also called on the company to introduce the rise in one go, rather than the staged introduction currently proposed.
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Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "First has millions in the bank and is penny pinching – much to the detriment of the travelling public. The amount it would cost to implement a single pay deal is water off a duck’s back to the company.
"To First Manchester's struggling drivers, however, receiving a full pay rise in one go will help relieve the financial pressures they are under from rising prices and historic low pay. Our members do a tough job, First Manchester needs to acknowledge that by providing a no-strings pay deal."
First Manchester managing director Ian Humphreys 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.
"Announcing further strike dates is not the way to get this situation resolved. Continued
Some keen-eyed regular bus users in Bolton, Wigan and Leigh may have noticed the recent splash of Bee Network yellow to all three stations.
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