BUS drivers in Manchester returned to the picket lines today in their strike action for better pay.

Around 350 striking bus drivers employed by operator First Manchester will be joined next week by more than 1,000 Stagecoach bus drivers in their own pay dispute.

First Manchester drivers launched strike action in July and were out again today.

More strikes are planned on August 7, 10 and 11 affecting services in Rochdale, Oldham, Manchester and Ashton.

Stagecoach drivers will strike on August 11, 12, 13 and 14 affecting services across Greater Manchester.

Both companies’ drivers are members of Unite, which said that without a significant pay rise, chronic staff shortages and overwork will worsen at First Manchester.

The drivers have rejected a 7.4 per cent pay increase backdated to April with a further 3.4 per cent in October.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “First Manchester’s profits continue to soar but the rates it pays its drivers are the worst in the region.

“The company’s inadequate pay offer is not enough to make up for sky-high living costs or to plug the staff shortages that are making our members’ working lives a misery. “

Manchester Stagecoach drivers will strike on August 11, 12, 13 and 14.

Unite said that last year Stagecoach reported revenues of almost £1.2 billion and profits of £72.7 million.

The drivers rejected a pay increase of 4 per cent from June last year and 4 per cent from December.

Unite regional officer Colin Hayden said: “This dispute could have been settled with a sensible offer weeks ago and our members are striking as a last resort.”