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Birmingham Post
Birmingham Post
Business
Jon Robinson

Further strike days for hundreds of bus drivers announced in dispute over pay

Hundreds of Manchester bus drivers have announced 12 further strike days in a dispute over pay.

The drivers, who are employed by First Manchester, are to start industrial action on Monday, January 31, with further strikes scheduled for February 1, 4, 7, 8, 9, 15, 17, 18, 21, 23 and 25.

Unite said the new dates for industrial action are a "direct consequence of the company’s failure to make an improved offer to resolve the dispute".

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There have already been three days of strike action in the dispute and further strikes dates have already been announced for January 20, 24 and 26.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "Bus drivers, including those at First Manchester, are no longer prepared to accept low rates of pay, for the difficult and stressful work they undertake.

"Unite now does exactly what it says on the trade union tin: it always fights to defend our members’ jobs, pay and conditions.

"The union will be providing its full support to our members at First Manchester until this dispute is resolved."

Unite regional officer Dave Roberts added: "Strike action has already caused considerable disruption for bus passengers throughout Greater Manchester. This was directly a result of First Manchester’s refusal to make an offer which meets our members’ expectations.

"First Manchester can afford to make our members a fair pay offer but it has chosen not to. Further strikes can be avoided but it requires the company to put forward an improved offer and to return to the negotiating table."

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