More than 2,000 workers under the Bee Network umbrella are set to walk out next week in a row over pay
21:18, 11 Sep 2025Updated 21:57, 11 Sep 2025
Two Bee Network buses in Manchester city centre
A union representing striking Bee Network staff has accused a major transport conference held in Manchester of ‘ignoring workers.’
The UK Bus Summit took place in Manchester city centre. today (Thursday, September 11). Key figures in the industry from across the country were in attendance.
Simon Lightwood MP, the Minister for Local Transport, was the keynote speaker whilst Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is also said to have addressed the event.
Online adverts said that among the themes to be explored at the event were ‘lessons from Greater Manchester’s recent adoption of bus franchising as part of its Bee Network.’
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More than 2,000 members of Unite who work under the Bee Network are walking out from Friday, September 19 to Monday, September 22 in a co-ordinated strike over pay.
And union chiefs today hit out, claiming that the ‘the voices of bus workers were excluded’ from the summit which had sent a message that ‘the rights of bus workers are not high on the agenda.’
Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham(Image: PA)
In a statement issued this afternoon, Unite general secretary, Sharon Graham, said: “Without including the voices of workers, the Bus Summit is little more than an echo chamber where employers are slapping themselves on the back.
“While bus firms generate high profits, workers contend with low pay and terrible conditions with fatigue, daily abuse and a lack of toilets and proper breaks an everyday occurrence.
“Unite is challenging low pay and poor conditions for bus workers throughout the UK and it is consistently winning better pay and better conditions.
“Bus companies must listen and improve pay and conditions for their workers. Unite never takes a backward step, when fighting for our members.”
There are also bus strikes set to take place in the Home Counties and Birkenhead, Chorley and Preston in the coming weeks, while Unite members in Bristol and the surrounding areas are currently awaiting the outcome of a ballot to see whether or not they will suspend their strikes due to take place next week.
Andy Burnham (pictured at a previous Bee Network press event) was among the speakers at today’s Summit(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
Unite said it had ‘constantly raised issues with bus firms about the poor pay and conditions facing bus workers.’
Their national officer for passenger transport Wayne King, added: “While employers are attending the Bus Summit to crow about their achievements, our members are struggling with the cost of living crisis and suffering from ill health caused by their working conditions.
“Unite must automatically be involved in any discussions around franchising. We will not allow workers to pay for this and pay and conditions must be improved and standardised across the sector as we approach franchising.
“Next year’s Bus Summit must include the voice of workers at the coalface of the industry. Without this, it is just employers paying lip service.”
The event also promised ‘updates from the Regional Mayors on plans for transforming their bus networks’ with West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Babin and South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard also listed among the speakers.
It was organised by the Transport Times in association with Passenger Transport magazine.
In a joint statement Grant Poulton, Managing Director of Transport Times, and Robert Jack, Managing Editor of Passenger Transport said: ““Today’s UK Bus Summit put buses in the spotlight. This is a mode of transport that is often overlooked but is essential to our communities.
Next week’s planned strikes will be ‘highly disruptive’ to passengers the union has warned(Image: Jason Roberts /Manchester Evening News)
“The people who work in public transport deserve our respect and gratitude for the vital role they play, often in challenging circumstances.
“While it’s true there were no direct employee representatives among our speakers, the summit did feature a broad mix of voices – including elected mayors with strong trade union links – and Unite members in attendance who raised questions to the panel.
“Issues affecting employees were also a central part of the discussions, including workplace comfort and safety, and contractual frameworks that safeguard and strengthen employment rights.
“Our aim is always to provide an open platform that helps shape better policy and outcomes for passengers and workers alike.”
Transporrt for Greater Manchester (TfGM), who run the Bee Network, have been approached for comment.
Stagecoach, Metroline Manchester and First Bus Rochdale workers are all expected to take industrial action later this month. The three companies are among those which make up the Bee Network under the recently-introduced franchising system.
At Stagecoach, around 1,000 drivers based across the Oldham, Stockport and Middleton depots have rejected a pay offer of 3.5 per cent.
Another 1,000 workers at Metroline Manchester – based at the Sharston, Hyde Road, Ashton and Wythenshawe depots – have also turned down a 3.5 per cent pay offer.
Meanwhile, 110 members at First Bus Rochdale rejected this year’s pay offer of six per cent, which Unite claims ‘does not go far enough to address the fact workers there have had years of being paid less than their counterparts at other companies and are the lowest paid in the region’.
Metroline and First Bus Rochdale have both said they are ‘disappointed’ by the decision to strike but that they remain open to further talks.
TfGM previously said that ‘bus operators are responsible for the pay and conditions of their staff, and the specifics of any talks is a matter for them and the relevant trade union’ but that they were ‘ monitoring the situation closely.’
The co-ordinated strikes will fall on a weekend that will see a number of major events in Manchester.
Manchester United will host Chelsea at Old Trafford on September 20, while Peter Kay performs at the AO Arena and Tom Grennan plays at Co-op Live on September 19 with union bosses accepting their action will be ‘highly disruptive.’
Unite said they remain ‘open to negotiations with the bus companies who need to return to the negotiating table with an improved offer.’