Transport for Greater Manchester workers vote for industrial action

Transport for Greater Manchester workers vote for industrial action after years of falling wages

Around 200 bus and tram network workers employed by Transport for Greater Manchester (TFGM) have voted in favour of strike action over pay.

The predominantly low paid workers are angry at having suffered years of below inflation pay rises that have resulted in their wages falling in real terms.

The workers have rejected an offer of a £1,290 pay increase and are demanding a rise that reflects the increased cost of living and reverses the fall in the value of their wages.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Transport for Greater Manchester workers have seen their wages eroded year after year. The current pay offer does nothing to rectify that. They are absolutely right to strike and they have Unite’s full support in doing so.”

Strike action will be announced in the coming days and will impact ticketing, passenger assistance and information services across the Greater Manchester bus and tram network.

TFGM claims it cannot provide a better offer because it is tied to the one put forward by the Passenger Forum of which the West Midlands and West Yorkshire Combined Authorities are also members.

Other regional transport authorities have left the Passenger Forum, however, to negotiate pay deals directly.Unite regional officer Howard Percival said: “Any disruption caused to the travelling public will be entirely the fault of Transport for Greater Manchester. Its use of the Passenger Forum is just an excuse to try and get out of paying these workers fairly.“Strike action can still be avoided but that will require TFGM sitting down with Unite and tabling an offer our members can accept.”

We have asked TFGM for a statement on the current situation.