First bus drivers due to go on strike again next week

Photo: Journeaux

First buses at Rochdale Interchange

First Manchester is advising customers to plan for alternative travel arrangements next week in readiness for further industrial action at its Oldham depot on Tuesday 18 and Thursday 20 January 2022 which means no services will operate on both days.

This follows severe disruption to bus services on Monday 10 and Tuesday 11 January as drivers began strike action in a dispute over pay and conditions.
 

Read more: Two days of strikes by First Manchester bus driversPublished: 09 January 2022

This includes school services and the Yellow School Bus. Some routes will be covered by alternative services and details can be found on the Transport for Greater Manchester website www.tfgm.com.

Ian Humphreys, Managing Director of First Manchester, said: “Despite further talks and the efforts we have already made to meet what we were told were agreed demands, union officials have informed us the strikes will go ahead.

“The company has offered a substantial increase to £13 per hour, along with a lump sum payment. We have also offered to equalise the rate for school bus drivers with that for service bus drivers which would mean an even greater increase for this group of colleagues. 

“There are no changes to our colleagues’ conditions and whilst reference has also been made to rota patterns, this is simply about the introduction of a previously agreed, shared plan to update recruiting and working practices to fulfil the company’s commitments to diversity in the workplace.

“I would like to apologise sincerely to all our customers in advance for the disruption and inconvenience this action will cause but want them to be aware of the situation so they can make plans for journeys they have to make on these days.”

Customers with pre-bought tickets for both dates will be given a refund or replacement tickets to use for future travel. Further information can be found here.