{"id":550991,"date":"2025-11-05T15:59:15","date_gmt":"2025-11-05T15:59:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/550991\/"},"modified":"2025-11-05T15:59:15","modified_gmt":"2025-11-05T15:59:15","slug":"disruption-warning-as-more-strikes-planned-next-week-by-tfgm-workers-as-pay-offer-dispute-continues","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/550991\/","title":{"rendered":"Disruption warning as more strikes planned next week by TfGM workers as pay offer dispute continues"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The union claims the action is likely to create disruption across the transport network in Manchester, but say an improved pay offer would stop the action<\/p>\n<p>15:38, 05 Nov 2025Updated 15:46, 05 Nov 2025<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1762358353_442_0_Shudehill-Interchange-01JPG.jpg\" alt=\"Shudehill Interchange \" loading=\"eager\"  \/>Shudehill Interchange (Image: MEN Media)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"men\">Transport for Greater Manchester workers are on strike for two days this week and further walkouts are planned next week.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"men\">Staff across the region today (Wednesday, November 5) began the first of two days of strike action this week over pay, says UNISON.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"men\">Up to 400 employees belonging to the union who work as route planners, station assistants, engineers, IT experts, administrators, control room operators and cleaners have walked out. They are due to strike again on Friday (November 7).<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"men\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Join the Manchester Evening News <\/strong><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">WhatsApp<\/strong><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"> group <\/strong><a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/chat.whatsapp.com\/LUaHo8T8DDWDaHg65G29aN\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"HERELink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">HERE<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"men\">In addition, Transport for Greater Manchester staff have been taking part in a work to rule since last Monday (27 October) and there will be further 24-hour strikes next week, on Wednesday (12) and Friday (14 November). Hundreds of Unite workers will also be taking industrial action alongside their colleagues who belong to UNISON.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1762358355_738_0_Shudehill-Interchange-01JPG.jpg\" alt=\"Shudehill Interchange \" loading=\"lazy\"  \/>Shudehill Interchange (Image: MEN Media)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"men\">The union claims the action is likely to create disruption across the transport network in Manchester, but say an improved pay offer would stop the action.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"men\">However transport bosses say trams and buses will continue to run and that all interchanges will be open although some toilets and ticket offices may close.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"men\">Workers have already voted overwhelmingly to reject a 3.2% pay offer. They were due a rise more than six months ago, says Unison. The union&#8217;s TfGM branch secretary, Tony Wilson, said: \u201cThese dedicated and hard-working staff have made major changes to the network possible. They\u2019ve taken on more responsibilities and risen to every challenge, yet their pay has been steadily eroded.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"men\">\u201cThey deserve respect and fair pay. UNISON is keen to resolve this dispute and urges the employer to come forward with a fair and decent offer.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"men\">Unison general secretary, Christina McAnea, said: \u201cStaff would much rather be doing the jobs they care about and serving their communities. But they\u2019ve been left with no option other than to strike as they continue to be denied a decent, fair pay rise that helps them keep pace with rising bills.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"men\">A continuous action, in addition to strikes, involves staff working to rule, refusing standby and call-out duties, and withdrawing goodwill.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"men\">Steve Warrener, Managing Director at TfGM, said: \u201cWe\u2019re continuing discussions with the unions and are doing all we can to limit any impact on passengers on strike days. Bus and tram services will run as normal and all our interchanges will be open, but some facilities \u2013 such as ticket offices and toilets \u2013 may be closed.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"men\">\u201cWe\u2019re absolutely committed to TfGM being a rewarding place to work and build a career, with good pay, terms and conditions. We\u2019ve made several proposals to the unions. Our current offer particularly supports those on our lowest pay bands, ensuring that no-one earns less than \u00a315.10 per hour, the equivalent to an annual salary of over \u00a329,000.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"men\">\u201cBut we can\u2019t meet the unions\u2019 ask this year \u2013 including a 9 percent pay rise for all staff and a four-day working week with no loss of pay. This would amount to an increase of around 30 percent in our employment costs. In the context of challenging public sector finances, it\u2019s not affordable or sustainable. \u201c<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"men\">Unite members will also strike on Friday and next Wednesday (November 12). More than 200 workers, who undertake a variety of roles including ticketing, passenger assistance and information services for the bus network, and they too have rejected the 3.2 per cent pay offer.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"men\">Unite is also currently balloting 320 Manchester tram drivers employed by Keolis Amey <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk\/all-about\/metrolink\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"MetrolinkLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Metrolink<\/a>, over working conditions and fatigue. The ballot ends on November 11th and any action could bring major disruption to Manchester over the festive period.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The union claims the action is likely to create disruption across the transport network in Manchester, but say&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":550992,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8813],"tags":[748,393,4884,2465,760,8825,16,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-550991","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-manchester","8":"tag-britain","9":"tag-england","10":"tag-great-britain","11":"tag-manchester","12":"tag-traffic-and-travel","13":"tag-transport-for-greater-manchester","14":"tag-uk","15":"tag-united-kingdom"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/115497925734634165","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/550991","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=550991"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/550991\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/550992"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=550991"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=550991"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=550991"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}