Bus services affected by strikes

Workers at First Bus based in Wigan, Bolton and Bury are to take part in a 24 hour strike on Friday 11 September in a fight over fair pay.

Unite the union, who represents 833 bus drivers in the three towns, does not mention that Rochdale workers will be taking part in the action directly, but services between Rochdale and those towns could be affected.

Unite met with First Bus management yesterday (Wednesday) in an attempt to settle the dispute and avoid industrial action, however the talks were unsuccessful and strike action will now go ahead from 4am tomorrow.

Unite members are planning further all day stoppages on Monday 14 September, Monday 21 September and Monday 28 September unless the dispute over pay can be resolved.

Unite industrial organiser, Bobby Morton, said: “Despite our every effort to persuade the employers to come back to the negotiating table and make a fair and decent offer to avoid any potential disruption for commuters in Manchester, they have failed to do so and industrial action is now inevitable.

“The decision to impose a zero per cent pay deal is based on company 'greed', not the 'greed' of workers trying to make ends meet like everyone else.

“First Bus made record profits of £134 million, despite the recession and could easily afford to pay its loyal workforce a fair wage. The recession should not be used as an excuse to freeze workers pay to pursue ever-greater profits. This is simply not acceptable."