The First Manchester bus driver strikes have come to an end after the workers accepted the new pay offer from the company.

The over 300 drivers who are members of Unite the Union accepted the improved offer which will see pay rates increase by 8.9 per cent.

As well as their basic pay increasing by 8.9 per cent, the drivers' will see all other payments increase by the same percentage and will receive a one-off payment of £750.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This is an excellent result for our members at First Manchester. 

"This deal puts down a strong marker for other bus companies that Unite will fight for decent pay increases that reflect the cost of living crisis."

The strikes began back in January and in total, there were eight days of strike action taken.

The dispute had been over pay, which the drivers argued should have been backdated to August, as well as rota patterns and other conditions not returning after the pandemic.

Strikes were suspended for four days last week as the drivers voted on the latest proposal. It means the remaining six days of scheduled strikes have now been cancelled.

Ian Humphreys, managing director of First Manchester, said: “We are pleased that an agreement on pay has finally been accepted.

"It brings an end to this dispute and the significant hardship it has caused our colleagues and their families, and the disruption to the travel plans of our customers."

Unite regional officer Dave Roberts said: “From the beginning of this dispute Unite made it clear that strike action could be avoided if First Manchester was prepared to table an offer that met our members’ aspirations.

"Once the company understood this, a deal was agreed and the dispute ended."

The drivers received support from the local MPs and Labour councillors, who attended a demonstration in late January.