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Manchester bus depot workers strike over union clampdown & pay cuts

TRADE unionists mounted an early morning protest outside a Manchester bus depot today in support of workers who are balloting on strike action.

About 500 bus workers at the Queen’s Road depot are involved in the consultative ballot over the suspension of a union official and over pay cuts. The workers are members of Unite the union.

The action began at 5am. One of the protesters explained: “Buses were unable to leave the depot for 90 minutes as we carried out a mobile action, walking up and down in front of the doors.”

The depot is owned by Go North West having been sold off by another private firm, First Bus, last year.

Unite says its representative at the site was suspended for carrying out legitimate trade-union activities.

The union warns that the firm plans to reduce drivers’ wages by £2,000 a year.

The company, which attempted to change terms and conditions during lockdown while most drivers were furloughed, is demanding productivity improvements in exchange for a one-off £5,000 payment.

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