Buses cancelled as drivers strike

Unite says the company can afford to offer the drivers a pay rise

Hundreds of buses in Greater Manchester are cancelled as drivers stage the first of four 24-hour strikes.

Friday's services in Wigan, Bolton and Bury are worst affected by the action by more than 800 First Group workers over a pay freeze.

Routes in Trafford, Stockport, Salford and Rochdale are also affected but school and college buses are running.

The Unite union said the pay offer is "based on greed", but First Group said it was "not possible" to fund a rise.

First Group said it was "hugely disappointed" at the drivers' decision to walk out, but promised to try to minimise disruption for passengers.

Longer journeys

Michael Renshaw, from the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive, said passengers should check which services are running.

"They should allow extra time for their journeys, as there will be greater demand for other services and there is also likely to be more traffic on the roads," he said.

The next strike is planned for Monday.

A ballot resulted in 95% of union members voting to take part in strike action, Unite said.

Unite's industrial organiser Bobby Morton said: "These workers are already struggling in the recession to support their families, they need support from their employer and this insulting pay offer is simply not acceptable."