Manchester commuters face disruption as TfGM workers stage walkouts over pay

Saturday, 18 October 2025 13:03

By David Murphy

Industrial action to affect bus and tram services across Greater Manchester from this week.

Passengers across Greater Manchester are bracing for severe disruption as more than 200 Transport for Greater Manchester workers prepare to strike over pay and working conditions.

Staff who support bus and tram services, including those responsible for ticketing, passenger assistance and public information, will walk out on six separate days in October: 18, 20, 23, 24, 25 and 30.

The strike, led by Unite the Union, comes after workers rejected a 3.2 per cent pay offer, which they say amounts to a real-terms pay cut. The most recent inflation figures show the Retail Price Index stands at 4.6 per cent.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham called the offer “a pay cut disguised as a rise” and pledged full union support for members taking industrial action.

“This offer is an insult to TfGM’s hardworking staff,” she said. “Unite never accepts attacks on our members’ jobs, pay or conditions.”

In addition to the dispute over pay, Unite says the strike action is also driven by unresolved concerns around standby arrangements, call-out duties, and the structure of four-day working week rotas.

Unite’s regional industrial officer, Samantha Marshall, argued that TfGM could afford to make a better offer and dismissed the suggestion that its hands are tied by regional agreements.

“TfGM has the freedom to make a separate offer, and it must do so,” she said. “The disruption to passengers is solely the responsibility of TfGM for not putting forward a reasonable offer.”

Members of Unison are also involved in the dispute and are taking part in coordinated industrial action.

TfGM has not yet issued a public response addressing the strike dates or outlining plans to mitigate disruption to public transport services. Previous strike actions affecting the Bee Network have caused significant inconvenience to daily commuters and vulnerable residents relying on public transport.

Unite warned that industrial action could escalate if no resolution is found.