Bus strikes have been plaguing Greater Manchester of late, and when strikes were called off earlier this month, passengers rejoiced. Now, it has been confirmed by Unite that further strikes this month by bus drivers working for Manchester’s integrated Bee Network transport system have been called off after they accepted a “vastly improved pay deal“.
Almost 2,000 Unite members working for Stagecoach and Metroline, on the Bee Network, were due to walk out on 18, 23 and 24 October in a dispute over pay.
Bus strikes have now been called off after Unite members have voted to accept a much-improved pay offer of 12% over two years. The first pay rise of 5.9% will be fully backdated to April 2025 and workers will receive another pay rise of 5.9% this coming April on all rates of pay including weekend and sick pay.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Bus drivers do difficult, essential jobs day in day out and deserve pay that reflects this, Unite is pleased the bus companies came to their senses with a greatly improved offer.
“This is an excellent, well-deserved win for our members at Stagecoach and Metroline who took on their employers in the fight for better pay and won. It proves the power of a union.”
As well as improved pay, drivers have also been given enhancements to Christmas working including improved pay and time off in lieu. Meanwhile, the previous new starter rate of 12 months progression has been replaced with a commitment to paying new drivers full pay once they are trained, which takes six to 12 weeks.
Strikes by drivers working for First Bus in Greater Manchester were called off at the beginning of the month, after Unite members voted to accept a pay deal worth 20%. The two-year deal will see members who were on £15 per hour for all days worked go up to £16 immediately backdated to 1 April 2025.
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and Mayor Andy Burnham have also given their commitments to Unite that they will look into historical issues in the passenger transport sector in the city, such as access to toilets, adequate breaks and better pension schemes.