Travel warning issued as union announces Greater Manchester transport worker strike dates

Passengers are being warned to expect disruption in the run up to Christmas after a series of strike dates were announced. Members of two trade unions - Unite and Unison - are involved in a dispute with Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM).

According to Unite, around 200 workers employed by TfGM will take strike action later this month. The dispute involves workers in a number of roles - including ticketing, passenger assistance and information services.

Unite says the strike will affect bus workers, but not those involved with Metrolink trams. TfGM insists passengers will still be able to get around on strike days - with both buses and trams up and running.

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Staff will walk out for four days from Thursday, December 12, to the end of Sunday, December 15. Further strike action is also expected to take place from Friday, December 20, to Monday, December 23.

Unite says the dispute involves members of TfGM staff who are low-paid, who recent rejected the offer of a £1,290 pay increase. The union says it wants to secure a pay increase which 'takes into account the cost of living crisis and reverses the fall in the value of their wages in real terms'.

The trade union is warning that strike action will escalate further if an agreement cannot be reached. Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary, said: "Our members at TfGM undertake an essential role in keeping public transport functioning.

"It is disgraceful that the company thinks that institutional poverty pay is acceptable. Unite never takes a backward step in protecting our members jobs, pay and conditions and the workforce at TfGM has the union’s complete support.”

Talks with TfGM have so far been inconclusive, with Unite claiming that the key sticking point has been a failure to include pay increases for all grades. The union admits passengers will face 'serious disruption' as a result of the strikes.

Howard Percival, Unite regional officer, said: "The strike action will cause serious disruption across public transport throughout Greater Manchester but TfGM has brought this dispute on themselves through its poverty pay rates. It is in TfGM’s hands to resolve this dispute it needs to return to the negotiating table with a realistic offer that addresses low pay for all the affected workers."

Speaking to BBC Radio Manchester after the strike vote was confirmed last month, mayor Andy Burnham admitted the move was 'not unexpected'. He said: "We'll sit down and discuss it. There’s not huge amount of money in public transport at the moment, but I’m always prepared to listen and see if we can find a way forward."

Asked if he would consider a pay rise similar to the 15 per cent increase over three years which was issued to rail workers earlier this year, Mr Burnham added: "What people don’t realise is that with the rail situation there was a long-standing dispute. It’s not like we’re sitting on a load of money and withholding it from people. We’re trying to be fair to everybody.”

Steve Warrener, TfGM managing director, previously said: "Whilst union members have voted in favour of industrial action over pay, we're committed to continuing discussions with the aim of avoiding strikes and minimising any impact on our passengers. We are proud to be a long-standing member of the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter, with real living wage accreditation."

Mr Warrener said in a statement on Thursday (December 5): "We recognise the need to support our hard-working colleagues facing cost of living pressures. But we also need to balance this with the challenging financial situation in the public sector. That’s why the several pay offers we’ve made to the unions, over and above the Local Government Association settlement, have been weighted to deliver the largest increase to those who are paid the least.

"Our latest offer means everyone gets a raise; everyone will be paid above the Real Living Wage; and those on the lowest salaries would see this year’s pay increase by at least 8.2pc. It means everyone paid under £51,000 would receive an increase of between 3.1% and 9.5pc.

"Our absolute focus is on avoiding industrial action and minimising any impact on Greater Manchester’s passengers. Discussions with the unions are still ongoing and we want to reach an agreement to avoid strikes taking place next week.

"If the strikes do take place, buses and trams will still run as normal, keeping Greater Manchester moving, and all interchanges will remain open. However, there would likely be a reduction of available staff to sell some ticket products and some facilities – like toilets – may close on strike days."