Bus passengers across Greater Manchester are being warned to expect significant disruption later this month as more than 2,000 workers from the Bee Network prepare to walk out over pay.
Bus drivers from Stagecoach, Metroline Manchester and First Bus Rochdale will take part in a co-ordinated strike between 19 and 22 September, after rejecting below-inflation pay offers from their employers.
The action, led by trade union Unite, is expected to bring widespread delays and cancellations across the Bee Network, the newly franchised public transport system in Greater Manchester.
Unite says affected workers have faced “years of low pay” and are now taking action after rejecting pay offers they say fail to keep up with rising living costs.
At Stagecoach, approximately 1,000 drivers based in Oldham, Stockport and Middleton depots voted to strike after a 3.5 per cent pay offer was turned down. Similarly, 1,000 drivers at Metroline Manchester depots in Sharston, Hyde Road, Ashton and Wythenshawe rejected the same offer.
Meanwhile, 110 First Bus Rochdale staff also voted to strike, branding their 6 per cent offer inadequate, citing long-standing regional pay disparities. Unite claims First Bus Rochdale drivers are among the lowest paid in the region.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “All of the firms involved in this dispute are highly profitable — but their workers are being denied a fair wage while their employers line their pockets.
“Our members have agreed this is unacceptable and have unequivocally voted to strike. They have Unite’s full backing throughout the whole of this dispute.”
Stagecoach, Metroline, and First Bus Rochdale – the latter part of First Group PLC – have all seen rising profits in recent years, Unite alleges.
The industrial action is expected to impact a number of large events in Manchester that weekend, including the Manchester United v Chelsea match at Old Trafford, comedian Peter Kay’s AO Arena show, and a Tom Grennan concert at Coop Live.
Colin Hayden, Unite’s regional officer, said: “With so many drivers across the Bee Network walking out at once, this will be a highly disruptive strike that will bring parts of Greater Manchester to a standstill.
“We know residents will be disappointed to hear of potential action, but this is entirely the fault of the employers involved. Our members feel they have no choice but to walk out to make their voices heard.
“Unite remains open to negotiations with the bus companies who need to return to the negotiating table with an improved offer.”
The Bee Network is Greater Manchester’s new integrated public transport system, aiming to unify buses, trams and trains under public control. The system was fully franchised in January 2025 and is seen as a flagship policy of Mayor Andy Burnham, who has yet to comment on the strike action.
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