Strikes by bus drivers employed by First Manchester have been suspended following the company making an improved offer in the dispute over pay.

 

Strike action suspended

 

The strikes scheduled for tomorrow Friday (4 February) and the stoppages for next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday (February 7-9) will now not go ahead.

 

Unite, the UK’s leading union, will ballot its 300 plus members on the new offer. If it is accepted the dispute will have ended. If members reject the offer then strikes already scheduled for 15, 17, 18, 21 and 25 February will go ahead as planned.

 

Improved offer

 

Unite regional officer Dave Roberts said: “In the spirit of goodwill Unite has suspended its next four days of industrial action to allow its members to be balloted on the improved pay offer.

 

“From the beginning of this dispute, Unite has made clear that it believed it could be resolved through negotiations. Once First Manchester returned to the negotiating table with an improved offer progress was made.”

 

Industrial action

 

Strike action began last month in the dispute over low rates of pay. The industrial action has caused considerable disruption to bus passengers throughout Greater Manchester.

 

ENDS

 

Notes to editors:

 

First Manchester bus drivers announce fresh strikes in pay dispute

 

During the coronavirus crisis Unite is working to keep workers and the public safe, to defend jobs and to protect incomes.

 

For media enquiries ONLY please contact Unite senior communications officer Barckley Sumner on 07802 329235 or 0203 371 2067.

 

Email: [email protected]

 

Unite is the UK and Ireland’s leading union fighting to protect and advance jobs, pay and conditions for members working across all sectors of the economy. The general secretary is Sharon Graham.