Many workers joined picket lines on Monday
Around 300 Unite union members at the Oldham depot of First Bus started a strike on Monday over pay and shifts. They were also set to strike on Tuesday.
They say they will strike each week until management cave in. Further strikes are scheduled for 18, 20, 24 and 26 January.
The strike was completely solid, with the picket growing stronger by the minute as more workers arrived.
Not one bus went out, causing massive disruption to bus services, including all school buses.
The workers are determined to fight for fairness having voted 99 percent Yes to action.
Their last pay rise was in 2019 and they have had no rise since. Drivers with a lot of responsibility earn only £12.40 an hour.
Solidarity with 300 Oldham depot bus workers striking over pay. @unitetheunion branch secretary Sohail Khan says pay “doesn’t meet any of our aspirations or household bills”. They’ve not had a rise since 2019. #solidarity
Report to come at https://t.co/IbxyejTr73 pic.twitter.com/MOfpApDFUQ
— Socialist Worker (@socialistworker) January 10, 2022
Their shifts were changed at the start of the pandemic to accommodate lower passenger numbers.
But now numbers have picked back up, the company refuses to move the shifts back. Some workers are losing £8,500 a year as a result.
Messages of support to [email protected] Picket lines at Walshaw Street, Oldham, OL1 3TR every strike day.
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