'We want to avoid industrial action' say bus bosses as Manchester braced for strikes

Over 2,000 staff, including bus drivers, are being balloted across Manchester’s Bee Network after rejecting the latest pay offer, with union members warning that standstill looms.

Thousands of Unite members working for the Bee Network, including drivers, are currently being balloted for strike action, with union bosses warning that there could be severe disruption to buses in Greater Manchester.

The latest news comes off the back of around 1,000 Stagecoach drivers based across the Oldham, Stockport, and Middleton depots rejecting a pay offer of 3.5%, with the Unite pointing out that Stagecoach recorded a total operating profit of £51.1m - up from £33.1m - and a profit before taxation of £47.6m.

A similar number of Metroline Manchester members are also being balloted after turning down an ‘unsatisfactory’ below-inflation pay offer of 3.5%, with workers at both Metroline and Stagecoach believing that the offer does not address years of low pay, particularly in the context of the cost-of-living crisis.

Finally, 95% of the 110 union members from First Bus Rochdale voted to reject this year's pay offer of 6% because it does not address the fact that workers have been paid less than counterparts at other companies for years. Union leaders claim First Group PLC had an operating profit of £204.3m in 2024 while dividends paid to shareholders were increased by 45%.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "All of the firms involved in this dispute are highly profitable - but their workers are being denied a fair wage. Stagecoach, Metroline and First can all fully afford to make a fair pay offer but they are choosing not to to boost their profits.”

With the three ballots closing on September 4, Unite has said that - should members vote to take industrial action - strikes could start as early as mid-September and efforts would be coordinated to have maximum disruptive impact.

Unite regional officer Colin Hayden said: "Should these strikes go ahead they would bring Manchester's bus network to a standstill.

"We appreciate that residents who rely on these bus services will be disappointed to hear of potential action, but it is entirely the fault of the employers. We urge them to come back to the table with improved offers to prevent what will be a highly disruptive strike."

In response, Rob Jones, Managing Director of Stagecoach Manchester, said: "We have met with the trade union representatives, who have rejected our initial offer of 3.5%. We remain committed to ensuring that drivers do receive an affordable pay increase and are keen to hold further talks and reach a resolution.

“We want to avoid industrial action, which is damaging to everyone and causes severe disruption to the daily lives of our customers."