Much of Oldham’s bus network has been brought to a standstill as strikes begin today, Monday, on the First Greater Manchester network.
Some services will still be running, but most First services will not be running on any of the strike days.
Why the strikes are happening
The strikes are taking place as part of a pay dispute between First and Unite the Union.
First Greater Manchester says it has offered workers at its depot on Wallshaw Street a 15.2 per cent increase in salaries.
Drivers currently earn £13.50 an hour.
However, Unite the Union hit back and said the deal came with "strings attached" – voting to take industrial action.
The union said that the offer would bring the driver’s pay into line with other companies operating in the region, but that the offer was conditional on receiving half the pay rise in April and half in October, avoiding back pay.
Services affected and when it’s happening
School services run by First will still be operating, and the V1 and V2, which serve Wigan, Salford and Manchester, will also continue to run.
Buses run by other companies, such as Rosso, Stotts, and Stagecoach, are still running.
In addition, the 184, which runs between Oldham and Huddersfield, is unaffected by strike action as this is run by First West Yorkshire.
Unite the Union says around 360 bus drivers are taking part in the strike action.
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Services throughout Rochdale, Oldham, Manchester and Ashton will be affected by the strikes, which are set to take place on Monday, July 3; Tuesday, July 4; Friday, July 7; Monday, July 10; Tuesday, July 11; and Thursday, July 13.
Unite says more days of action will be planned if the dispute is not resolved.
Metrolink is continuing to run, however, there is no ticket acceptance in place.
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Changes coming to Oldham’s bus network
Last month, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham announced that the operator would be gone from Oldham from September 2024, with Oldham’s services transferring to Stagecoach and Diamond as part of the Bee Network bus franchising plans.
Some Rochdale bus services will still be run by the operator.
Additionally, the bus fare cap, which currently sees bus tickets capped at £2 and a day ticket capped at £5, is to be extended until September 2024.
How to get a refund for your ticket
No refunds will be offered for ‘on the day’ tickets, however, First is offering pro-rata refunds for multiday tickets.
Passengers will be able to claim a refund through the First website, with no option to be refunded over the phone.
First has said its online form will become available on its website once the industrial action has ended. Those with SystemOne tickets have been asked to contact SystemOne directly.
Speaking ahead of the action last week, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “First’s huge profits show that it does not need to engage in penny pinching by shaving the amount of back pay their drivers should receive.
“This strings attached deal has caused more anger amongst a workforce that currently receives the lowest rates in the region.
“Compounding the issue is the fact that the lower pay rates makes other companies more attractive places to work, resulting in staffing shortages and increased workloads.
“Unite’s members at First Manchester are right to take a stand and have their union’s total support.”
Speaking last week, 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."
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