First Manchester strikes called off after 'exceptional' pay deal won

Strikes by drivers working for First Bus in Greater Manchester have been called off after Unite members voted to accept 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  April 1, 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 general secretary Sharon Graham said: "This is an exceptional pay deal, which was only won by workers standing firmly together in the face of their very profitable employer. 

"It is proof once again that being a member of Unite pays for itself. We will always support every member in their fight for better pay – and we deliver." 

At Metroline, strikes finished yesterday (October 2) by 1,000 Metroline Manchester members at the following depots: Sharston, Hyde Road, Ashton and Wythenshawe,. 

The other affected firm in the Bee Network dispute is Stagecoach. Around 1,000 drivers based across the Oldham, Stockport and Middleton depots paused strike action to be balloted on a new pay deal, but it was overwhelmingly rejected by members. 

Over 1,900 workers at Metroline and Stagecoach will now walk out on October 10, 11, 13, 18, 23 and 24.

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."