Almost 600 Bee Network drivers employed by Go North West in Bolton, Denton, Heywood and Wigan are set to be balloted for strike action over pay.
A statement provided by Unite has claimed that workers are angry their pay now sits ‘significantly below’ that of Bee Network drivers employe by other operators, and have rejected a 3.8% pay offer.
Currently, Bee Network drivers employed by Metroline and Stage Coach earn 19.06 GBP per hour, whilst those employed by Go North West earn 15.51 GBP per hour.
Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham said:Go North West can more than afford to close the huge pay disparity these workers are suffering despite doing exactly the same job as their Bee Network colleagues.
Unite never stops fighting for our members’ jobs, pay and conditions and the Go North West drivers will receive their union’s full support.
Drivers are set to be balloted until 2 June, with potential industrial action this summer causing severe disruption to bus services in Bolton, Denton, Heywood and Wigan and across Greater Manchester.
Unite Regional Officer John O’Neill said:Go North West will be totally responsible for any disruption caused to passengers because it is refusing to offer a fair deal.
There is still time for industrial action to be avoided, but that will require the company tabling a deal that is acceptable to its drivers.
