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BUS drivers across Greater Manchester and south-west England are set to step up their fight against poverty pay.
More than 300 workers employed by First Manchester, who are due to walk out on Thursday, Monday and next Wednesday, confirmed 12 further days of strikes between January 31 and February 25 today.
Their union, Unite, said the drivers will no longer accept just £12.40 an hour for the “highly skilled, demanding and responsible role.”
First Group, which runs First Manchester, recorded an operating profit of £224.3 million last year, the transport union said.
The firm’s Ian Humphreys urged Unite to reconsider the strike and continue negotiations.
The union also confirmed today that 360 Stagecoach bus drivers in Bristol and Gloucestershire — many earning less than £11 an hour — will be balloted for industrial action.
Strikes could hit the profitable company late next month if workers back walkouts in the ballot, set to run between Tuesday and February 10, Unite warned.
General secretary Sharon Graham said she is determined to fight low pay — the “scourge” of the industry.
Stagecoach was contacted for comment.
