Hundreds of bus drivers balloted over strike action

More than 500 bus drivers working in Greater Manchester will be balloted about taking strike action over "a huge disparity" in their pay compared with those working for rival operators in the city region, a union has said.

Staff employed by Go North West, which runs services in Bolton, Denton, Heywood and Wigan, have rejected a 3.8% pay offer.

Unite said £15.51 an hour pay falls way short of the £19.06 earned by staff working for the other Bee Network-franchised operators, Metroline and Stagecoach.

Nigel Featham, managing director for Go North West said the operator was "committed to constructive discussions" with union with aim of avoiding industrial action and disruption to services.

A union spokesman said there nearly 600 bus drivers at Go North West would be balloted over strike action on 2 June.

Any potential industrial action would be held in the summer and cause "severe disruption", he added.

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."

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