When Bee Network bus strikes in Greater Manchester will end

Dozens of services have been cancelled across the region and passengers were urged to find alternative routes – including via trains and the Metro.

Five services were affected in Bury, with about 30 in Oldham and more than 75 in Manchester city centre. No buses were affected in Bolton or Wigan.

Striking staff are employed by Stagecoach, Metroline Manchester, or First Bus Rochdale, and are disputing these firms in collective rows over pay.

The firms are among those that make up the bus part of the Bee Network.

At Stagecoach, about 1,000 drivers based across the Oldham, Stockport, and Middleton depots have rejected a pay offer of 3.5 per cent.  

There are also 1,000 Metroline Manchester members at Sharston, Hyde Road, Ashton and Wythenshawe depots, who are walking out after turning down the same pay offer.

Unite the Union members at both Metroline and Stagecoach believe the offer doesn’t address years of low pay, especially given the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

Meanwhile, 110 members at First Bus Rochdale have rejected this year’s pay offer of six per cent.

The four-day action got underway on Friday (September 19), and is due to last until 11.59pm on Monday, September 22.

However, Transport for Greater Manchester warned that the timing of the strike action meant some early-morning services could be impacted on Tuesday, September 23.

The current strike action comes a week before a second round of walk-outs are enforced on the Bee Network.

These will take place between Tuesday, September 30 and Thursday, October 2, and will again be led by Unite the Union.

Speaking last week, a Unite spokesperson said: “It is entirely the fault of the employers involved, who have failed to address the issue of low pay and reward their staff accordingly.

“Unite is not afraid to escalate to more strikes, which will only intensify going forward. It is time for the employers to make an offer that is acceptable to our members to resolve this disruption.”

Danny Vaughan, TfGM chief network officer, said: “Bus operators across the country are responsible for the pay and conditions of their staff. 

“We are encouraging operators and their unions to continue talks, reach an agreement and avoid disruption for passengers.”  

Source – INDIA TV