Major UK city's bus strikes off as union scoops 'excellent' pay deal

A major UK city has avoided further swathes of crippling transport strikes as bus company staff working for various operators secured an "excellent" new pay deal. Previously, the Unite trade union said drivers working for various operators under Manchester's integrated Bee Network transport system had rejected pay offers ranging between 3.5 and 6%.

There have already been strikes in September, but now further disruption to services has been avoided as Stagecoach and Metroline drivers voted to accept offers from their employers. It means strikes this month by Bee Network bus drivers have been called off after they accepted a "vastly improved pay deal".

The walkout, which was due to impact around 190 services last week, was called off at the eleventh hour on Thursday (October 9), as drivers were balloted on a new pay offer from two Bee Network bus operators, Metroline and Stagecoach.

Almost 2,000 Unite members working for Stagecoach and Metroline were also due to walk out on 18, 23 and 24 October in a dispute over pay.

Strikes have now been called off after Unite members voted to accept a much-improved pay offer of 12 per cent over two years.

The first pay rise of 5.9 per cent will be fully backdated to April 2025, and workers will receive another pay rise of 5.9 per cent this coming April on all rates of pay, including weekend and sick pay.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "Bus drivers do difficult, essential jobs day in day out and deserve pay that reflects this. Unite is pleased that the bus companies came to their senses with a greatly improved offer.

"This is an excellent, well-deserved win for our members at Stagecoach and Metroline who took on their employers in the fight for better pay and won. It proves the power of a union."

As well as improved pay, drivers have also been given enhancements to Christmas working, including improved pay and time off in lieu.

Meanwhile, the previous new starter rate of 12 months progression has been replaced with a commitment to paying new drivers full pay once they are trained, which takes six to 12 weeks.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TFGM) and Mayor Andy Burnham have also given their commitments to Unite that they will look into historical issues in the passenger transport sector in the city, such as access to toilets, adequate breaks and better pension schemes.

Unite regional officer Colin Hayden said: "This is a fantastic deal for drivers at Metroline and Stagecoach, which gives them a baked-in pay rise for two years.

"This win only came about as the members stuck together to fight for the pay deal they deserved.

"We are also pleased that TFGM have pledged to address other problems with pay and conditions, and Unite looks forward to working with them to improve this for our members at the Bee Network."

Drivers at Stagecoach and Metroline had previously walked out from September 19 to 22, causing major disruption in Greater Manchester, with two-thirds of services not running.