Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) workers will begin strike action over pay tomorrow, Unite, the UK’s leading union, has announced.
More than 200 workers, who undertake a variety of roles including ticketing, passenger assistance and information services for the bus and tram network, have rejected a 3.2 per cent pay offer.
The offer is a real terms pay cut as the current rate of RPI inflation stands at 4.6 per cent.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This offer is a pay cut disguised as a rise and is an insult to TfGM’s hardworking staff. Unite never accepts attacks on our members’ jobs, pay or conditions. These workers have their union’s full support in taking strike action.”
The dispute is also over issues around stand by call out and four day working week policies.
The workers will strike from tomorrow (October 18), followed by the 20, 23, 24 and 25 October, with disruption caused across the bus and tram network. Industrial action will intensify if the dispute is not resolved.
Unite regional industrial officer Samantha Marshall added: "Unite rejects the claim that TfGM is unable to improve its offer due to a deal also given to transport staff in the West Midlands and West Yorkshire. TfGM has the freedom to make a separate offer, and it must do so. The disruption to passengers is solely the responsibility of TfGM for not putting forward a reasonable offer."
Members of the Unison union are also taking industrial action as part of a joint dispute.
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