Oldham's bus drivers are set to strike next week after a last-minute offer was refused by members of Unite the Union.

First Manchester said it offered the workers at its depot on Wallshaw Street a 15.2 per cent increase in their salaries.

However, the last-minute offer was refused by members of Unite the Union and the bus drivers are set to strike on Monday and five other days throughout the month.

Ian Humphreys, the managing director of First Manchester, said: "We are disappointed and dismayed at the decision to commence strike action at our depot in Oldham.

"The pay offer we made to the union of a 15.2 per cent increase between now and October is well above inflation and it would have helped our drivers to manage the cost of living. 

"The strike action will be damaging to everyone and it will cause disruption to the daily lives of our customers who rely on the bus to get to work, education and for appointments."

All school services are unaffected,* as are the 184 from Oldham to Huddersfield and the Vantage V1 and V2 services.

Customers are advised to check before they travel as tickets bought on the day of any strike action are non-redundable.

Mr Humphreys said: "We will be unable to operate any other bus services from Monday and we would like to apologise in advance and encourage customers to make alternative travel arrangements. We urge Unite the Union to return to negotiations so we can finalise a settlement and prevent a prolonged dispute."

Previously Colin Hayden, a regional officer for the union, said: "Our members do not want to strike but they have been left with no option due First Manchester’s greed."

For information, go to www.firstbus.co.uk/greater-manchester.

*All school services are unaffected: 701, 705, 774, 775, 784, 788, 793, 794, 795, 812, 820, 821, 823, 825, 829, 830, 831, 835, 836, 837, 838, 841, 851, 861, 868, 871, 875, 879, 884, 887, 890, 891, 893, 894, S350, S84.


This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.