First Manchester

[SF07]

RE: First Manchester
Oldham depot going back on strike again next Tuesday and Thursday (18th and 20th January).

Quote:Customers advised to plan travel due to further industrial action

First Manchester is advising customers to plan for alternative travel arrangements next week in readiness for further industrial action at its Oldham depot on Tuesday 18 and Thursday 20 January 2022 which means no services will operate on both days.

This includes school services and the Yellow School Bus. Some routes will be covered by alternative services and details can be found on the Transport for Greater Manchester website http://www.tfgm.com.

The Vantage V1 and V2 services based at a depot in Bolton for routes from Leigh and Atherton to Manchester Royal Infirmary are unaffected.

Ian Humphreys, Managing Director of First Manchester, said: “Despite further talks and the efforts we have already made to meet what we were told were agreed demands, union officials have informed us the strikes will go ahead.

“The Company has offered a substantial increase to £13 per hour, along with a lump sum payment. We have also offered to equalise the rate for school bus drivers with that for service bus drivers which would mean an even greater increase for this group of colleagues.

“There are no changes to our colleagues’ conditions and whilst reference has also been made to rota patterns, this is simply about the introduction of a previously agreed, shared plan to update recruiting and working practices to fulfil the Company’s commitments to diversity in the workplace.

“I would like to apologise sincerely to all our customers in advance for the disruption and inconvenience this action will cause but want them to be aware of the situation so they can make plans for journeys they have to make on these days.”

Customers with pre-bought tickets for both dates will be given a refund or replacement tickets to use for future travel. Further information can be found on http://www.firstbus.co.uk/greater-manche...h-20th-jan

Ian Humphreys added: “Industrial action has huge impact on the community and damages confidence in using the bus, so I urge union representatives to reconsider their action and continue talking with us to resolve this dispute.”

Ends

https://www.firstbus.co.uk/greater-manch...ue-further