Bolton Interchange staff go on strike demanding better pay

TfGM staff were on strike today, demanding better pay <i>(Image: Newsquest)</i>
TfGM staff were on strike today, demanding better pay (Image: Newsquest)
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Bolton interchange staff walked out on their second day of strike action this morning.

Around 200 bus workers employed by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) are striking around pay.

The strike action involves staff in office-based roles and at interchanges, information and ticket offices, and in the customer contact centre.

Bus and tram drivers are not included so services will run as normal.

The strike will last until Sunday 15 December and a further strike is planned for the following weekend if their demands are not met.

Staff made the decision to strike in November after rejecting a £1,290 pay increase that they said does not reflect the increased cost of living.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Our members at TGM undertake an essential role in keeping public transport functioning. It is disgraceful that the company thinks that institutional poverty pay is acceptable.
 
“Unite never takes a backward step in protecting our members jobs, pay and conditions and the workforce at TfGM has the union’s complete support.”

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham called the strikes "unnecessary" and "unjustified".

Mr Burnham said: "With several revised and improved pay offers made to staff, this strike action is now primarily about giving more money to those already earning more than £50,000.

"We believe that a 2.5 per cent rise for those high earners is fair, which is why we’ve weighted the offer to give the biggest rises to those on the lowest pay."

Some interchange facilities such as toilets may be closedSome interchange facilities such as toilets may be closed (Image: TfGM) TfGM says it already pays all staff above the Real Living Wage.

The latest offer is to increase this year’s pay by up to 9.5 per cent for those on the lowest salaries.

Those paid more than £51,000 would receive 2.5 per cent - in line with this year’s settlement for staff at local authorities.

Unite regional officer Howard Percival said: “The strike action will cause serious disruption across public transport throughout Greater Manchester but TfGM has brought this dispute on themselves through its poverty pay rates.
 
“It is in TfGM’s hands to resolve this dispute it needs to return to the negotiating table with a realistic offer that addresses low pay for all the affected workers.”

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While passengers will still be able to make journeys with little disruption expected, some supporting facilities may be reduced.

Some tickets such as weekly tickets or passes may be unavailable, but people will still be able to buy tickets on board, at machines and pay via contactless.

Toilets in interchanges could be closed and there will be fewer staff members around to assist passengers with their journeys.

There may be delays in bookings, responses to customer enquiries and update channels such as the Bee Network website and social media.

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