Mayor's concern over timing of bus network strikes

Two unions are set to strike over the busy Christmas period

Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has questioned the timing of strikes by bus network workers, which he said comes ahead of a "big moment" for the region's public transport system.

More than 500 Bee Network staff in non-driving roles are set to walk out in a row over pay between 12-15 December and 20-23 December, with strikes also called for between 2 and 15 January.

Mr Burnham said he was "obviously concerned" by the move, which comes a month before all of the region's buses are taken into public control.

A Unison spokesman confirmed talks were set to be held on Monday in a bid to resolve the dispute.

The strikes involve more than 300 Unison workers and about 200 Unite staff under the employment of Transport for Greater Manchester (TFGM).

Members of both unions, which negotiate under a collective bargaining agreement, have rejected a recent pay offer worth an average of 3.1 per cent.

Steve Warrener from TfGM, which coordinates the regions buses, previously said buses and trams would run as normal during the strikes, despite unions warning of travel chaos.

'Not too late'

Mr Burnham spoke at a bus depot in Wythenshawe on Thursday at an event to mark one-month to go before bus services in south Manchester go into public control.

This would mark the completion of the Bee Network project, and see all services in the region run by the city's combined authority.

Transport bosses have warned there could be "teething problems" during the switchover, with the potential strikes further complicating the transition.

The mayor said: "We just ask colleagues now, this is a big moment for Greater Manchester, we've all been working at this for years. Is this really the right time to do this?"

Kevin Dolan, Unison's regional organiser said it was not too late for transport bosses "to do the right thing and negotiate a better deal that better values its workers' efforts".

Both unions will strike over the two weekends in December, but Unison has additional called a strike between 2 and 15 January.

Unison has also confirmed members will start action short of strike from 12 December, including an overtime ban and work to rule.

Additional reporting from the Local Democracy Reporting Service