Bee Network drivers on strike on 22 September, Oldham, Greater Manchester. Photo Workers.
Strike action by bus drivers across Greater Manchester has led to a 12 per cent increase in pay over two years.
Bus operators Stagecoach and Metroline originally offered a pay increase of only 3.5 percent. Through their trade union Unite, the workers balloted for and carried out a series of strike days in September thereby disrupting bus services of “The Bee Network”, Greater Manchester’s integrated transport system.
The initial 5.9 per cent pay rise will be fully backdated to April 2025. The drivers will receive a further 5.9 per cent increase next April on all rates of pay including weekend and sick pay.
Unite regional officer Colin Hayden described this as a fantastic deal for the drivers. He said, “This win only came about as the members stuck together to fight for the pay deal they deserved.”
As well as improved pay, drivers have also achieved improved starter rates and better working arrangements over the Christmas period.
• Bus drivers elsewhere in the country have also been successful in their pay disputes.
In Brighton and Crawley they secured a 5.2 per cent increase. Unite members voted to strike for two days in early October. Brighton Bus Company (part of the overseas-owned Go Ahead group) was forced to improve the initial offer and correct pay anomalies between depots.