Strikes by more than 1,000 Stagecoach Manchester drivers will go ahead on Friday after workers rejected a renewed pay offer that deprived them of back pay.
While an improved offer of around 14.3 per cent was made – taking the hourly rate to £16 an hour – the deal would have been implemented from September rather than June, the agreed anniversary date for pay rises. Instead, a £750 one-off payment in lieu of full back pay was offered says the Unite Union
Strike action will take place on 11, 12, 13 and 14 August. Bus services across the whole of Manchester will be severely affected. More strikes will be scheduled if the dispute is not resolved.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Stagecoach is making huge profits and can afford to improve this ‘strings attached’ offer to one that is implemented from the correct anniversary date.
“Stagecoach has unnecessarily dragged out a dispute that could have been resolved months ago and is now trying to move the goal posts. Our members at Stagecoach Manchester will receive their unions full backing as they strike for a fair pay rise.”
