Oldham First Bus drivers accept pay offer

First Bus has announced that a Unite ballot has accepted its latest pay offer to Oldham drivers

First Bus has announced that a Unite ballot yesterday (Wednesday) has accepted its latest pay offer to Oldham drivers.

It means bus drivers at First Manchester will receive a pay increase to £15.50 per hour from September 3, a lump sum payment of £1,100 and a further rise to £16.00 per hour from January, with no strings attached.

The deal also includes improved pay for Bank Holiday working.

Overall, this represents an 18.5% increase in pay over the period, more than double the latest rate of inflation at 7.9%.

Rob Hughes, Operations Director of First Manchester, said: “We are delighted to have reached agreement with Unite and acceptance of a generous offer which makes our drivers some of the best-paid in Greater Manchester together with additional employment benefits.

“This ends any further damaging strike action and the severe disruption this has caused to the daily lives of our customers who rely on the bus to get to work, education and for appointments.”

He added: “It is disappointing that it has taken six months to get an agreement with Unite after we began talks in February and made a series of no-strings offers which met its requests on hourly pay and have all been well-ahead of inflation.

“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. 

“The whole team can now focus on continuing to deliver an excellent service throughout the communities we serve.”

Last week Unite, the trade union representing drivers in the pay dispute, called off this week's planned five-day walkout as its members were set to vote on whether to accept the ‘improved deal’.

At that time, Unite regional officer Colin Hayden said: “Following improved offers from First Manchester and GMAT, Unite has, as an act of good faith, suspended strikes while our members are balloted on the new deals.”

Meanwhile, industrial action planned by Greater Manchester’s Ring and Ride drivers was also put on hold last week.

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