Bus drivers who provide an essential service for vulnerable people in Oldham and Greater Manchester are set to strike over pay and "poor working conditions".

According to Unite the Union, more than 60 bus drivers in the region who transport elderly and disabled people are set to strike due to the "low pay" paid by the Greater Manchester Accessible Transport (GMAT), a registered charity.

The charity provides the 'ring and ride' service across Greater Manchester, which is funded by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), and is a door-to-door minibus service where drivers are trained in passenger assistance.

Members of Unite, the country's leading trade union, are paid just above minimum wage to do what they describe as a physically and mentally demanding job.

Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox by signing up to The Oldham Times’ morning and evening newsletters as well as our breaking news alerts 

The drivers provide an invaluable service, transporting the elderly, infirm and disabled from their homes across Greater Manchester to vital medical appointments or to the shops to buy essentials. 

The drivers also take their passengers to leisure and entertainment facilities.

An estimated 7,000 users depend on the service and Unite has encouraged the employer to "come back to the negotiating table" with improved terms that are "above the below-inflation offer".

Currently, the lowest-paid drivers receive just £11.50 per hour while the current rate of pay for bus drivers across Greater Manchester is close to £16 per hour.

Drivers are also reportedly suffering from poor working conditions without a proper scheduled meal break at an agreed location, such as a bus station or depot.

Unite said this means the drivers are "forced" to have a meal by the side of the road between pick-ups or told to drive to a takeaway fast food outlet or supermarket.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “GMAT should be ashamed of itself, a charity paying poverty wages to drivers performing a vital service to vulnerable residents across Greater Manchester.

“Unite’s unrelenting focus on jobs, pay and conditions means our members at GMAT will have the full backing of the union in their fight for a fair wage."

Unite regional officer, Colin Hayden, added: "These are frontline staff who transport and assist the elderly and disabled taking them to hospital and doctors’ appointments.

"Strike action will cause significant disruption and prevent them making important journeys, but this dispute is entirely of GMAT’s own making.

"Millions of taxpayer’s money has been invested in the Bee Network but the way these drivers are being treated is as if they don't matter.

"Unite will be fighting their corner to get a proper pay rise for doing a vital job."

Following a successful industrial ballot, members will be taking strike action later this spring/summer with dates soon to be announced.

A GMATL spokesperson said: “We have offered all staff a 4.35 per cent pay award from April 2024 which would mean paying drivers being paid £12 which is above the Living Wage (formerly minimum wage) and meets the Real Living Wage.

“GMATL is a registered charity and limited company meaning that all grant funding received and revenue from fares is invested in the service to deliver transport to older and disabled people.

"We are working with the Good Employment Charter to attain full member status.

“Bus operators do pay higher hourly rates but our rates are more comparable with similar services with smaller sized vehicles.

"We value the work our drivers and staff carry out in delivering services to vulnerable passengers however any increase over and beyond the existing offer will affect the service we are able to offer our passengers.

“We hope to work together with Unite the Union to resolve these issues to the satisfaction of all parties and with the aim of avoiding disruption to our passengers.”

A TfGM spokesperson added: “GMATL is a charity and operator of the Ring and Ride service.

"Although grant funded, responsibility for pay and conditions of staff sits with the operator.

"They are currently working towards membership of the Good Employment Charter, which includes requirements to ensure all staff continue to receive the real living wage.”

The Greater Manchester Combined Authority has been contacted for comment but declined to comment. 

If you have a story, I cover all things Oldham from food reviews and local business news to music and events, pubs, education, crime, property, health, community concerns and much more. Please email me at Olivia.bridge@newsquest.co.uk or send me a message on Twitter @Livbridge with your news.