Public Transport Strikes Suspended Following Revised Pay Proposal

Unions representing public transport workers in Greater Manchester have consented to halt industrial action involving hundreds of their members, citing a “very encouraging” new pay offer. Approximately 500 members from Unite and Unison, employed by Transport for Greater Manchester (TFGM), participated in a walkout on December 12 and 13 due to an ongoing pay dispute. Subsequent strikes scheduled for Sunday and Monday have now been canceled while union members consider a revised wage proposal presented during discussions with TFGM and Mayor Andy Burnham on Friday. Kevin Dolan, UNISON regional organiser, stated that the most recent proposition represented an improvement and contributed to resolving issues related to “on-call payments and family friendly policies.” According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the updated offer also features a salary increase ranging from 7.33 to 8.9 percent for TfGM’s lowest-earning employees. Previously, members of both unions, operating under a collective bargaining agreement, had declined a prior offer averaging 3.1 percent for all personnel. A joint statement from the two unions indicated that the new agreement has been presented to members for a ballot without any recommendation for acceptance or rejection. The outcome is anticipated on Monday, and should the offer be approved, all industrial action will cease, as stated. Conversely, if the agreement is rejected, industrial action short of full strikes, encompassing work-to-rule and a prohibition on overtime, will recommence on Christmas Eve, the unions further noted. Steve Warrener, TFGM managing director, expressed the operator’s optimism that a resolution would be achieved, thereby preventing additional industrial action.