Bus drivers are set to strike in pay dispute

HUNDREDS of bus drivers are set to strike later this month in a dispute over pay and conditions – hitting Rochdale routes.

Members of Unite employed by Go North West will walk out from February 28.

The union claims the company is threatening to fire and rehire workers on inferior contracts.

Workers across the region voted by 4-1 in favour of strike action earlier this week.

The strike is set to cause disruption across the bus network but union bosses say the action has to be taken ‘as a last resort’.

The company operates 16 routes across Rochdale, Manchester, Salford, Trafford, Bury and Oldham.

Unite regional secretary Ritchie James said: “Unite gave Go North West the opportunity to withdraw its fire and rehire plans following the overwhelming vote for strike action, sadly it spurned this opportunity.

“As a consequence, Unite has had no option but to call its members out on strike.

“This will inevitably cause a great deal of disruption throughout Greater Manchester and beyond, but I hope that passengers appreciate that Unite took this action as a last resort.

“If Go Ahead were allowed to implement its fire and rehire policies it would result in our members, who have been in the frontline since the pandemic began, having to work longer for far less money.”

A spokesperson for Go North West said: “It is disappointing that Unite is committed to strike action, rather than seeking to resolve their issues around the table.

“It is particularly unnecessary given that 85 per cent of drivers have already voluntarily signed up to the new contracts to keep the depot open.

“Any strike action will hit people who depend on our services the most - those working in the NHS and other vital services that are keeping the region going during this pandemic.

“We urge the union to accept the changes which secure the 600 jobs at the depot, give drivers guaranteed inflationproofed pay increases for the next two years, and £5,000 productivity lump-sums.

“We call on Unite to work with us to build a better future for our colleagues.”