First Manchester announces new pay offer to Oldham drivers

Unite members have been out in force in Oldham recently

Bus drivers at First Manchester in Oldham could be set for an inflation-busting pay rise of more than £5,200 a year, if they accept a new offer made by the company.

First Manchester has made an improved offer that means a pay increase to £15 per hour backdated to April and a further rise to £15.60 from October, with no strings attached.

Overall, First Manchester chiefs insist this represents a 15.6% increase in pay over the period, double the latest rate of inflation at 7.9%.

Rob Hughes, Operations Director of First Manchester, said: “We have made an improvement to our offer in an attempt to end this dispute and have asked Unite to ballot our drivers.

“This clearly answers the hourly pay rate request made by Unite and is well ahead of inflation.

"It will make our drivers some of the best-paid in Greater Manchester together with additional employment benefits.”

If a vote to accept the offer is made, drivers will receive backdated pay to April of some £1,000.

It also means an annual pay increase of more than £5,200 for a driver with over one years’ service.

Mr Hughes added: “We have always approached pay talks with an open mind to try to resolve this dispute and move forward, allowing us to focus on the transition period to franchising and providing the people of Oldham with a great bus service. 

“Continued industrial action is damaging to everyone and causes yet more severe disruption to the daily lives of our customers who rely on the bus to get to work, education and for appointments.”

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