A one-day withdrawal of labour by over 700 First Manchester bus drivers on Tuesday 24 May brings services across Salford and Manchester to a grinding halt.
Roads and rail services are expected to be busier as passengers are forced to find alternative ways to get to work or school.
Over 90 per cent of the workforce at First’s Oldham and Cheetham Hill bus depots go on strike today.
Popular routes including the 100, 110 and 67 are cancelled
Transport for Greater Manchester have confirmed that bus users will be able to use their First and System One weekly and season tickets on Metrolink’s Rochdale and Eccles line, and on Northern Rail’s Eccles service.
The dispute between the Unite union and the employer First lies in what the union claims are changes to agreed conditions made by the operator (more below).
Services and routes across Salford, Eccles, Irlam, Cadishead and beyond are being cut, changed or cancelled across the 24-hour period.
Bus drivers who are members of Unite strike today
All full list of cancellationis and changes is available below.
The free Manchester city centre Metroshuttle services will also not run on Tuesday 24 May.
Howard Hartley, TfGM’s Head of Bus, said: “All services and roads are likely to be busier on Tuesday so please allow extra time for your journey and be patient if things take longer.
“Anyone whose journey could be affected should check before travelling to find out the latest information.”
List of all changes to services across Manchester, Oldham and Trafford
Changes to Salford services
NO SERVICE
100 Warrington to Manchester Shudehill
110 Salford Shopping City to Manchester Piccadilly
67 Cadishead to Manchester Shudehill
53 Cheetham Hill to Salford Shopping City
33 Worsley to Manchester Piccadilly
SOME CHANGES
X39 Leigh to Manchester Piccadilly
0750 bus will not run. All other services normal
63 Brookhouse to Manchester Piccadilly
The only early morning First service on this route will not run. Arriva to run services as normal
35 Leigh-Swinton to Manchester Piccadilly
0632 from Salford to Leigh, 0742 from Lumber Lane to Manchester Piccadilly and 1708 from Manchester Piccadilly to Walkden all cut. Normal service for rest of timetable
NO CHANGE/RUNNING AS NORMAL
Y33 school bus Irlam to St Patrick’s RC High School
Y37 school bus Ellenbrook to Walkden High School
Y40 school bus Pendlebury to St James CE High School
986 school bus Swinton to Canon Slade School
V1 Leigh to Manchester Stevenson Square
95 Bury to Salford Shopping City
36 and 37 Bolton to Manchester Piccadilly
8 Bolton to Manchester Shudehill
The Unite union supporting the industrial action says this could have been avoided over a year ago.
NB. First Manchester have been given the opportunity to respond to these comments but have not yet replied to requests from SalfordOnline.com.
Unite say they called in the concilliation service ACAS to start talks with First Manchester 12 months ago over changes made to agreed conditions, some going back years.
The dispute – which First indicated last week they were at a loss to explain – stems from what the union claim are breaches of parts of working agreements: the first a 2012 pay agreement, the second a collective bargaining agreement.
Neil Clarke, a Regional Officer at Unite’s Salford Quays offices, said: “We do this with a heavy heart.
“We are only going ahead with industrial action having exhausted every other reasonable option.
“These workers are loyal and committed, our members are proud of the service they provide to the public and a lot of people use these services so we’re very sorry this has to go ahead.
Unite claim that First are “developing a pattern” of not sticking to agreements and say the company still remark – despite Unite having made representations to ACAS – they do not understand exactly what the drivers are striking over.
Read: Night bus party protest to show First how it’s done
“Any claim by a member of the senior manmagement team that they do not understand what this is about is fundamentally disingenuous,” said Neil.
“All they need to do is accept that what they done is wrong, that they changed conditions without consultation and people are being excluded from certain provisions where there are no express exclusions.
“Our members have stuck by these agreements and we’re simply asking for the employer to do the same.”
First Manchester have been contacted for comment in regard to these claims.
A statement on First’s website reads: “Unite have said that the reason for the strike revolves around a trade dispute regarding changes to conditions and agreements and bargaining procedures, which First Manchester deny.
“First Manchester is still seeking clarification around the specific issues of the dispute and what resolution Unite require to bring the dispute to an end.
“In an attempt to try and resolve the dispute, First Manchester has been in discussions with the concilliatory service ACAS.
“They offered to convene a meeting at their ACAS’s earliest opportunity of Tuesday 24 May. As this coincides with the proposed day of strike action, ACAS put a proposal to Unite to postpone their action which would allow them to meet with the company and Unite to try and resolve the dispute.
“Unfortunately Unite representatives have rejected this proposal.”
It’s understood at this time that Unite and First Manchester are due to sit down with ACAS for further talks on Wednesday 25 May.
Full list of service changes
1 Manchester Piccadilly Station – Shudehill Circular ⚠ NO SERVICE ⚠
2 Manchester Piccadilly Station – Shudehill ⚠ NO SERVICE ⚠
3 Manchester Piccadilly Station – Spinningfields ⚠ NO SERVICE ⚠
6 Rochdale – Kirkholt Circular ⚠ NO SERVICE ⚠
8 Bolton – Manchester Shudehill Normal service
12 Boarshaw – Middleton Circular ⚠ NO SERVICE ⚠
17 Rochdale – Manchester Shudehill ⚠ NO SERVICE ⚠
Please see alternative 163 service between Middleton and Manchester
17A Rochdale – Manchester Shudehill ⚠ NO SERVICE ⚠
18 Langley – Central Manchester University Hospitals ⚠ NO SERVICE ⚠
Please see alternative 163 service between Middleton and Manchester, and alternative 41/42 services between Manchester and Central Manchester University Hospitals
22 Bolton – Stockport Normal service
24 Rochdale/Thornham – Manchester Piccadilly ⚠ NO SERVICE ⚠
33 Worsley – Manchester Piccadilly ⚠ First Manchester journeys will not run – Stagecoach will run a normal service
35 Leigh – Swinton/Manchester Piccadilly ⚠ The 0632 journey from Salford to Leigh, the 1708 journey from Manchester Piccadilly to Walkden, and the 0742 from Lumber Lane to Manchester Piccadilly will not run – all other journeys will run a normal service
36 Bolton – Manchester Piccadilly Normal service
37 Bolton – Manchester Piccadilly Normal service
38 Ashton – Hazelhurst Circular Normal service
39 Ashton – Hazelhurst Circular Normal service
41 Altrincham/Sale – Manchester Piccadilly Normal service
41 School Bowden – Manchester Piccadilly Normal service
42 North Manchester General Hospital – East Didsbury Normal service
42 School Davenport Station – Manchester Piccadilly Normal service
52 Failsworth – intu Trafford Centre ⚠ NO SERVICE ⚠
53 Cheetham Hill – Salford Shopping Centre ⚠ NO SERVICE ⚠
58 Rochdale – Middleton ⚠ NO SERVICE ⚠
Please see alternative 59 service between Shaw and Middleton
59 Rushcroft – Manchester Piccadilly ⚠ We propose to run a very limited service between Shaw and Middleton only – please visit our Twitter page for more information
Please see alternative 163 service between Middleton and Manchester, and alternative 42/135 services between Cheetham Hill and Manchester
63 Brookhouse – Manchester Piccadilly ⚠ The one early morning First Manchester journey will not run – Arriva will run a normal service
67 Cadishead – Manchester Shudehill ⚠ NO SERVICE ⚠
68 Farnworth – intu Trafford Centre Normal service
81 Moston (White Moss) – Manchester Piccadilly ⚠ NO SERVICE ⚠
81 Derker – Manchester Piccadilly ⚠ NO SERVICE ⚠
81A Holts – Manchester Piccadilly ⚠ NO SERVICE ⚠
83 Sholver – Manchester Piccadilly ⚠ We propose to run a very limited service between Sholver and Manchester – please visit our Twitter page for more information
88 North Manchester General Hospital – Manchester Shudehill ⚠ NO SERVICE ⚠
92 Evening Bury – Manchester Shudehill Normal service
93 Daytime Prestwich/Carr Clough – Manchester Shudehill ⚠ NO SERVICE ⚠
93 Evening Bury – Manchester Shudehill Normal service
94 Pilsworth – North Manchester General Hospital ⚠ NO SERVICE ⚠
95 Bury – Salford Shopping Centre Normal service
97 Bury – Manchester Shudehill Normal service
98 Bury – Manchester Shudehill Normal service
100 Warrington – Manchester Shudehill ⚠ NO SERVICE ⚠
110 Salford Shopping Centre – Manchester Shudehill ⚠ NO SERVICE ⚠
125 Alkrington – Middleton Circular ⚠ NO SERVICE ⚠
125 School Mottram – Blue Coat School Normal service
135 Bury – Manchester Piccadilly Normal service
141 School Wilmslow Road – Bowden Normal service
149 Oldham – Manchester Piccadilly ⚠ First Manchester journeys will not run – Stagecoach will run a normal service
158 School Grangethorpe Road – Davenport Station Normal service
162 Norden – Manchester Piccadilly – Norden Normal service
163 Bury – Manchester Piccadilly Normal service but will be very busy
⚠ Some evening journeys will not run
163 Evening Middleton – Manchester Piccadilly ⚠ NO SERVICE ⚠
180 Greenfield – Manchester Piccadilly ⚠ NO SERVICE ⚠
181 Shaw – Manchester Piccadilly ⚠ NO SERVICE ⚠
182 Rochdale – Manchester Piccadilly ⚠ NO SERVICE ⚠
183 School Saddleworth School – Oldham Normal service
184 Huddersfield/Uppermill – Manchester Piccadilly ⚠ We propose to run a very limited service between Grotton and Oldham Mumps only – please visit our Twitter page for more information
Please see alternative 83 service between Oldham Mumps and Manchester
184 School Oldham – Uppermill Normal service
231 Ashton – Manchester Piccadilly Normal service
232 Ashton – Hurst Cross Circular Normal service
241 School Bowden – Wilmslow Road Normal service
331 Ashton – Hurst Cross Circular Normal service
332 Ashton – Hurst Cross Circular Normal service
333 Ashton – Hurst Cross Circular Normal service
338 Asthon – Crowhill Normal service
346 Ashton – Hyde Normal service
348 Ashton – Carrbrook Normal service
350 Oldham – Ashton ⚠ We propose to run a very limited service between Mossley and Ashton. A limited number of journey will run from Oldham at 0651, 1800 and 1824; and a limited number of journeys will return to Oldham from Ashton at 1620, 1656, 1720 and 1803.
353 Ashton – Dobcross Normal service
354 Ashton – Denshaw Normal service
387 Ashton – Hyde Normal service
389 Ashton – Hyde Normal service
393 Ashton – Hartshead Circular Normal service
408 Buckstones – Stalybridge ⚠ First Manchester journeys will not run – Rosso and MCT will run a normal service
409 Rochdale – Ashton ⚠ We propose to run a very limited service between Rochdale and Ashton – please visit our Twitter page for more information
415 Middleton – Oldham ⚠ NO SERVICE ⚠
Please see alternative 59 service between Middleton and Oldham
425 Holts – Fitton Hill ⚠ NO SERVICE ⚠
435 School Rochdale – Crompton House School ⚠ NO SERVICE ⚠
438 Lane Head – Rochdale ⚠ NO SERVICE ⚠
451 Newhey – Rochdale ⚠ NO SERVICE ⚠
454 Littleborough – Rochdale ⚠ NO SERVICE ⚠
Please see alternative 589/590 services between Littleborough and Rochdale
457 Littleborough – Rochdale ⚠ NO SERVICE ⚠
Please see alternative 589/590 services between Littleborough and Rochdale
462 Ladyhouse – Rochdale ⚠ NO SERVICE ⚠
468 Tottington – Fairfield General Hospital Normal service
471 Rochdale – Bolton Normal service
471 School Matthew Moss HS – Rochdale Normal service
472 Ramsbottom – Bury Circular Normal service
474 Ramsbottom – Bury Circular Normal service
501 Moss Bank Way – Farnworth Normal service
505 School Bolton – Rivington & Blackrod HS Normal service
507 Harwood – Bolton Normal service
510 Bolton – Bury Normal service
511 Bolton – Bury Normal service
519 Johnson Fold – Great Lever Normal service
520 Johnson Fold – Great Lever Normal service
524 Bolton – Bury Normal service
527 Astley Bridge – Bolton Circular Normal service
533 Egerton – Bolton Normal service
557 School Blue Coat School – Oldham ⚠ NO SERVICE ⚠
558 School Delph – Blue Coat School Normal service
561 Withins – Bolton Normal service
562 Withins – Bolton Normal service
575 Horwich – Bolton Normal service
582 Leigh – Bolton Normal service
589 Burnley – Rochdale Normal service but will be very busy
590 Halifax – Rochdale Normal service but will be very busy
617 School Aspull – Rivington & Blackrod HS Normal service
687 School Cheetham Hill – Our Ladys RC College This service will be provided by another bus company
719 School Rochdale – Hopwood Hall College The only journey to run will be the 0825 Rochdale to Hopwood Hall
719 School Middleton – Rochdale ⚠ NO SERVICE ⚠
724 School Flixton – Loreto Grammar School Normal service
736 School Sale – St Ambrose College Normal service
742 School Heaton Chapel – Altrincham Grammar Schools Normal service
766 School Stockport – St Ambrose College Normal service
767 School Heaton Chapel – St Ambrose College Normal service
770 School St Damian’s RC HS – Waterhead Normal service
770 School Northenden – Altrincham College Of Arts Normal service
771 School Stretford – Altrincham College Of Arts Normal service
774 School New Charter Academy – Oldham Normal service
782 School Alkrington Mainway – Cardinal Langley This service will be provided by another bus company
786 School Alkrington Mainway – St Annes Academy This service will be provided by another bus company
791 School Blackley – Parrenthorn HS Normal service
792 School Prestwich – Parrenthorn HS Normal service
795 School Crompton House – Middleton Normal service
795 School Burnage HS – Manchester Piccadilly Normal service
820 School Mosley Road – Copley HS Normal service
820 School Ridge Hill – Copley HS Normal service
828 School Mossley Brookbottom – Saddleworth School Normal service
836 School Newman RC College – Derker Normal service
837 School North Chadderton School – Shaw Wren’s Nest Normal service
850 School Adswood – Bramhall HS Normal service
862 School Syke – St Cuthbert’s RC HS Normal service
865 School Waterhead Academy – Glodwick Normal service
867 School Falinge – St Cuthbert’s RC HS Normal service
869 School Brinnington – Werneth HS Normal service
870 School Mossley Hollins HS – Ridge Hill Normal service
870 School St Damians – Ridge Hill Normal service
872 School Norden – Oulder Hill HS Normal service
874 School Ramsbottom – St Gabriel’s RC HS Normal service
879 School Sholver – Royton & Crompton HS Normal service
881 School Oulder Hill HS – Castleton Normal service
882 School Royton – Newman RC College Normal service
887 School Lane Head – St Cuthbert’s RC HS Normal service
890 School Harwood – St Gabriel’s RC HS Normal service
894 School Littleborough – St Cuthbert’s RC HS Normal service
901 School Bury Bridge – Tottington HS Normal service
905 School Westhoughton – Canon Slade HS Normal service
916 School Blackrod – Canon Slade HS Normal service
919 School Bolton – Thornleigh College Normal service
922 School Darcy Lever – Thornleigh College Normal service
923 School Breightmet – Thornleigh College Normal service
923 School Breightmet – Thornleigh College Normal service
924 School Bolton – Little Lever HS Normal service
928 School Breightmet – Sharples HS Normal service
935 School Crompton House – Milnrow Bridge St Normal service
944 School Bradshaw Brow – Thornleigh College Normal service
969 School Bolton – Canon Slade HS Normal service
982 School Leigh – Canon Slade HS Normal service
986 School Swinton – Canon Slade HS Normal service
V1 Leigh – Manchester Stevenson Square Normal service
V2 Atherton – Manchester Stevenson Square Normal service
X35 Walmersley – Manchester Piccadilly Normal service
X39 Leigh – Manchester Piccadilly ⚠ The 0750 journey from Leigh will not run – all other journeys will run a normal service
X84 Carrcote – Manchester Piccadilly ⚠ NO SERVICE ⚠
Please see alternative 184 service between Grotton and Oldham Mumps, and alternative 83 service between Oldham Mumps and Manchester
Y8 School Failsworth – St Matthew’s HS Normal service
Y9 School Fallowfield – St Peter’s HS This service will be provided by another bus company
Y16 School Godley – Alder Community School Normal service
Y23 School Blue Coat School – Oldham Normal service
Y29 School Baguley Hall Road – St Paul’s HS This service will be provided by another bus company
Y31 School Littleborough – St Cuthbert’s RC HS Normal service
Y33 School Irlam – St Patricks RCHS Normal service
Y36 School Northenden – Parrs Wood HS This service will be provided by another bus company
Y37 School Ellenbrook – Walkden HS Normal service
Y38 School Bolton – Smithills HS Normal service
Y39 School Birch Hill – St Cuthbert’s RC HS Normal service
Y40 School Pendlebury – St James’s CE HS Normal service
Y41 School Hunger Hill – Mount St Joseph’s RC HS Normal service
Y43 School Bolton – Thornleigh College Normal service
Y44 School Oldham – New Charter Academy Normal service
Y47 School Norden – Blue Coat School Normal service
Y48 School Oldham – St Damian’s RC HS Normal service
Y53 School Atherton – Mount St Joseph’s RC HS Normal service
Y54 School Ainsworth – St Monica’s HS Normal service
Y56 School Failsworth – East Mancester Academy Normal service
Y68 School Newton – Longendale HS Normal service
Y71 School Moston – Radclyffe School Normal service
Y77 School Dukinfield – Samuel Laycock School Normal service
Y84 School Smallbridge – Falinge Park HS Normal service
