The deal agreed between Unite and Go North West contains several key victories for the drivers, including a pledge from both Go North West and its parent company Go Ahead Group not to use fire and rehire tactics in future.
Three legal observers at ‘Kill the Bill’ demonstration lodge assault complaints against Greater Manchester Police
Legal observers have lodged complaints against Greater Manchester Police for alleged assault by police officers at a ‘Kill the Bill’ demonstration in Manchester, the Network for Police Monitoring says.
FC United of Manchester – the fan-owned football club going from strength to strength
The European Super League debacle prompted calls from Manchester United fans to rebalance the ‘current ownership structure in the favour of supporters,’ sparking a debate about fan ownership in football. But what does fan-owned football look like, and what are the benefits? Alex King spoke to FC United Manchester, the fan-owned football club in Moston founded by Manchester United refuseniks, to find out more.
Community and the carnivalesque – thoughts on the Manchester bus driver picket line
The picket line outside Queens Road Depot exhibits camaraderie, community and the carnivalesque. Solidarity is undoubtedly strong in the communities supporting the bus drivers in their ‘fire and rehire’ industrial dispute with Go North West.
Fossil fuel holdings increase at GM Pension Fund, after claims it would divest from them
Analysis of the Fund’s 2021 annual report by Fossil Free Greater Manchester shows the Fund increased its holdings of fossil fuel shares between 2019 and 2020, undercutting its claims it has made moves to divest.
‘Lifelong fans no longer matter’ – Manchester responds to news of European Super League
All six English clubs have now withdrawn from the Super League. However, Manchester’s football fans, MPs and local economy experts believe the aborted plan underlines a desperate need to democratise the beautiful game. The Meteor presents their views of the plans.
‘Stay strong, stay determined and stay out on strike’ – activists turn out for Manchester’s bus drivers
Activists attended the picket lines at Queens Road Depot in north Manchester to show solidarity with Go North West bus drivers, as Unite the Union announced new leverage campaign aimed at increasing pressure on Go Ahead Group to return to the negotiating table.
Manchester council pledges to protect children in care from Brexit immigration changes
Manchester councillors and human rights advocates warn of ‘a new Windrush generation’, unless councils across Greater Manchester follow suit in identifying young people in care affected by the immigration changes and provide the necessary support to apply for settlement status.
Burnham brings GM bus network back under public control
The metro mayor said the “deregulated” bus network had “not been driven by the needs of our communities, but by bus operators’ responsibilities to their shareholders to make a profit… We can only change that and hold the decline if we bring the buses back under the control of the public.”
Greater Manchester leaders back bringing buses under public control
“On balance, it is in the public interest to make the proposed franchising scheme,” TfGM chief executive Eamonn Boylan told GM council leaders, as they gave the green light on re-franchising the city region’s buses.
Andy Burnham will now make the final decision on introducing a London-style franchise system.