There will be further bus strikes in Greater Manchester after around 1,000 Stagecoach Drivers based across the Oldham, Stockport and Middleton depots who paused strike action to be balloted on a new pay deal overwhelmingly rejected the deal.
1,000 Metroline Manchester members at the following depots Sharston, Hyde Road, Ashton and Wythenshawe have been on strike this week and are expected to join the action which is set for 10, 11, 13, 18, 23 and 24 October.
Rob Jones, Managing Director of Stagecoach Manchester, said:
“We are disappointed that Unite members have chosen to reject the latest pay proposal, which would have provided an almost 9% pay increase by April 2026 and improved pay for our newest drivers.
“Had this offer, which significantly exceeds inflation, been accepted it would have ended the dispute; while also ensuring that our drivers in Manchester remain some of the highest paid in the country.
“We remain committed to ensuring that drivers do receive an affordable pay increase and want to avoid any further strike action, which will cause unnecessary disruption across our Manchester-based communities.”
First Bus drivers have however accepted the a much-improved pay deal worth 20 per cent.
The two-year deal will see members who were on £15 per hour for all days worked go up to £16 immediately backdated to 1 April 2025. Then from October, this will rise again to £16.50 followed by further increments in Jan 2026 to £17 Monday to Friday, £18 Saturday and £19 Sunday.
They will then receive a further increase in April 2026 to £18 for working Monday to Friday, £19 for Saturday and £20 for Sunday working. This is a 20 per cent pay rise on working weekdays within six months and goes a long way to addressing the fact that these workers were the lowest paid drivers in the region.
Unite regional officer Colin Hayden said: “We are very pleased to have had such an excellent win at First, which is thanks to the hard work of reps and members throughout the dispute.
“Unite remains open to negotiations with the other firms involved in the dispute, but unless new offers acceptable to our members are brought to the table more disruptive strike action will go ahead.”
