Mad Friday’s back on! Well, for half of us...
ARRIVA BUS COMPANY PUTS STRIKE ACTION IN REVERSE FOR BUSIEST FESTIVE WEEKEND – BUT FIRST STAFF STILL PLAN DECEMBER WALK-OUT
CHRISTMAS just got a lot easier for thousands of bus passengers after Arriva staff called off their December strike action.
A series of walk-outs planned by drivers for seven days this month had been set to cause chaos.
But members of Unite and GMB unions have now struck a pay deal with bosses so buses will run every day – including Mad Friday – the last Friday night before Christmas when thousands of party-goers descend on Manchester’s bars and clubs.
The unions have heralded their new pay deal – a rise of 3.2 per cent next year – as a victory and say they can now ‘get back to what they do best.’
It ends a long-running dispute affecting 11 depots across the region. It is not, however, a total reprieve for passengers, as First bus staff still plan to strike on four days in December over their ongoing pay dispute.
But those who rely on Arriva – whose drivers’ action would have disrupted services across Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Cheshire and Merseyside – have reason to be cheerful.
The deal means workers will receive a rise of 3.2pc in the first year and 2.6pc in the second.
Jon Broughton, Unite regional officer, said: “This pay deal that our members have overwhelmingly accepted is a considerable improvement when set against the company’s original offer of 0.9 per cent for year one.”
Thanking members and supporters, he added: “The bus drivers now look forward to doing what they do best.
“Unite looks forward to working in a constructive fashion with the management going forward.” Eddie Parker, GMB organiser, said the Joint Trade Union Representatives Forum had accepted the offer – and wished passengers ‘a happy Christmas.’
Meanwhile, First bus has confirmed its workers still intend to walk out on December 15 (Mad Friday), 20, 22 and 23.
The dispute revolves around 70 workers at the First Manchester depot on Wilmslow Road in Rusholme, who say they are currently paid less than their colleagues at neighbouring depots.
Only the 41 and 42 services will be affected by the action and bus services from First Manchester’s Oldham, Queens Road and Bolton depots are unaffected – including Manchester’s Metroshuttle, Yellow School Buses and Vantage.
First bosses have urged drivers in Rusholme to accept the pay deal and end the series of strikes.