Around 200 Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) workers are being balloted for industrial action over pay and could join 2,000 bus workers in the city on strike.
The 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 4.8 per cent.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This insulting offer is a pay cut dressed up as a rise. TfGM needs to come back with a deal that reflects the increasing cost of living. These workers will receive Unite’s full backing in their fight for fair pay and conditions.”
The dispute is also over issues around stand by, call out and four day working week policies. The ballot closes on October 1. Members of the Unison union are also involved in the dispute.
Unite regional officer Howard Percival added: “Unite rejects any claims that TfGM cannot improve on the offer because it is tied to a blanket deal also offered to transport network staff in the West Midlands and West Yorkshire. TfGM is free to make an independent offer and that needs to happen. Any disruption caused to passengers will be entirely the fault of TfGM for failing to do so.”
Meanwhile, there will be large-scale disruption to bus services in the area from Friday, September 19 to Monday, September 22 as over 2,000 Unite members working for the Bee Network will walk out in a co-ordinated strike over pay.
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