Drivers who aid elderly and disabled call off strike

Ring and Ride buses help vulnerable people get to medical appointments

A week-long strike of bus drivers, who transport elderly and disabled people, has been called off.

About 60 Unite union members working for Greater Manchester Accessible Transport Ltd (GMAT) were scheduled to walk out from Monday 1 July to Sunday 7 July.

The employer said it had now offered a 6 per cent pay rise after discussions with the union.

Previously, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham accused GMAT of "paying poverty wages to drivers performing a vital service"."

The Ring and Ride service supports about 7,000 vulnerable people, often transporting them to vital medical appointments.

Unite regional officer Colin Hayden said: “Our members, as a gesture of goodwill, have suspended their planned strikes while they are balloted over this new pay offer from GMAT.”

Unite's general secretary Sharon Graham said GMAT is paying too low wages

A GMAT spokesperson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “After the initial pay offer of 4.35 per cent was rejected by union members, GMAT officers met with Unite representatives on 29 May and following discussions an improved offer of 6 per cent was put forward.

“This offer would provide drivers with an hourly rate of £12.20 which is above the real living wage.”

Ring and Ride services usually see qualifying passengers able to book an accessible minibus to take themselves and an accompanying adult from their home to a destination up to six miles away in Greater Manchester.

They can travel further for hospital appointments and to the nearest town centre if needs be.