Bus network staff to go on strike before Christmas

The strikes do not involve drivers but other bus network staff

About 200 members of staff at a regional bus network are set to take strike action over two busy weekends in the run-up to Christmas.

The walkouts at Transport for Greater Manchester (TFGM) are scheduled for 12-15 December and 20-23 December.

Unite regional officer Howard Percival said the action would cause "serious disruption" and came after a breakdown in pay talks.

Steve Warrener from TFGM said talks were ongoing to try to avoid the strikes, but if they were held, "buses and trams will still run as normal".

A Unite spokesman said members had rejected a pay increase offer of £1,290, and want a hike that factors in the cost of living crisis and "reverses the fall in the value of their wages in real terms".

But Mr Warrener said the offer was an 8.2 per cent increase for those on the lowest salaries, and would see all staff paid under £51,000 receive a wage boost of between 3.1 and 9.5 per cent.

He said TFGM recognised the need to support staff facing cost of living pressures, but said this had to be balanced against "a challenging financial situation in the public sector".

'Poverty pay'

The strikes will not involve bus drivers but those working in roles including ticketing, passenger assistance and information services.

Mr Percival said TFGM had "brought the dispute on themselves with poverty pay rates", adding a resolution was "in their hands".

If the strikes do go ahead, Mr Warrener said there may be a reduction in staff selling tickets, helping at stations, and some facilities like toilets could have to close.

It comes with Manchester's roads network already creaking under the pressure of extra Christmas demand, with bosses asking people to use public transport where possible.

The union has warned there could be further action if an agreement is not reached.