Action at two of the three operators involved in disputes has been suspended, whilst their members are balloted on a new offer

21:45, 28 Sep 2025Updated 21:47, 28 Sep 2025

Passengers were set to face widespread disruption during the action(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)

The majority of planned strikes by bus workers in Greater Manchester this week have been suspended, Bee Network bosses have announced.

More than 2,000 Unite the Union members employed by three operators – Stagecoach, Metroline and First Bus Rochdale – were due to walk out on from Tuesday (September 30) to Thursday (October 2) in a row over pay.

The union held a four-day strike from last Friday (September 19) until Monday (September 22). And, on Friday, they announced six more days of action in October.

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However, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), which runs the Bee Network, said tonight (Sunday, September 28) that the union had suspended the strikes at First and Stagecoach this week, while they balloted members on a new offer.

A decision by Metroline staff is due to be made tomorrow (Monday) but ‘it is hoped they will agree the same approach’, TfGM said.

A Unite picket line in Oldham on Friday, September 19(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)

The move means most bus services will run as normal this week, they said. However, they urged passengers to check before travelling until a decision was made by Metroline staff.

The new offer follows ‘intensive work across the weekend’, with TfGM saying themselves and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham had done ‘everything in their power to bring the negotiations between bus operators and union colleagues to a fair resolution.’

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The three companies make up part of the Bee Network, under the franchising scheme introduced to Greater Manchester two years ago, but the companies are still responsible for their staff’s pay and conditions.

In the TfGM statement, Mr Burnham said: “We’ve been working throughout the weekend, doing everything in our power to bring the negotiations between bus operators and union colleagues to a fair resolution.

Further industrial action was planned this week(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)

“This is positive progress and we’re pleased that union colleagues have now agreed to suspend strike action to ballot their members. We encourage staff at Metroline to do the same, in turn averting any strike action taking place this week.

“I have been clear that we support the aims of the unions – bus drivers deserve a better deal. But it has to be delivered in way that’s affordable and sustainable for the Bee Network.

“We’re hopeful that agreements can be reached between operators and unions to conclude the pay negotiations.”

Danny Vaughan, TfGM’s Chief Network Officer, said: “We are pleased that planned industrial action has been suspended by First and Stagecoach staff, and that their services will run as normal.

Andu Burnham – pictured at an event at Labour Party conference in Liverpool – said it was ‘positive progress'(Image: Andy Stenning/Daily Mirror)

“We’re hopeful that the same approach will be agreed with staff at Metroline tomorrow, averting any industrial taking place this week.

“Any updates about bus services will be available on the Bee Network website and social media channels. We’re still encouraging everyone to check the latest status of their service before they travel this week, leave plenty of time for their journey and to get in touch if they have any questions.”

Unite, Metroline, Stagecoach and First Bus Rochdale have been approached for comment

The union previously said around 1,000 drivers based across the Oldham, Stockport and Middleton depots for Stagecoach had 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 – had also turned down a 3.5 per cent pay offer.

Unite claimed the offers are ‘unsatisfactory’ following ‘years of low pay’ and the ‘ongoing cost of living crisis’. The most recent rate of UK inflation was 3.8 per cent.

Meanwhile, 110 members at First Bus Rochdale rejected this year’s pay offer of six per cent, which Unite claiming it ‘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.’