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.
Manchester bus drivers poised to ballot on strike action as Unite and Go North West talks collapse
Unite will ballot 485 bus drivers on strike action if Go North West does not return to the negotiating table. The decision to consider balloting was made in response to the bus company announcing it will no longer negotiate with the union and will instead consult drivers individually.
Sustainable development or mini America – which will Manchester choose?
Andrea Sandor argues why we should use the Netherlands as a sustainable development model for integrated housing and transport, and not the USA. Attending a talk by Transport for New Homes (TfNH) recently I was delighted to discover their strapline is “Sustainable development or mini America”. As someone who grew up in America, I fully […]
First female president of RMT union to speak in Manchester against Tory proposed anti-union legislation
The first female president of The Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers, will oppose the Tory proposed ban on all out transport strikes, at the Manchester Trades Union Council Annual General Meeting. Michelle Rodgers, first female president of the RMT (Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers) union, is to speak at the Manchester Trade Union […]
Franchised bus system would ‘give better value for money’ for Mancunians says Sir Richard Leese
Public meeting saw Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, weigh in on the side of re-regulating the GM bus system in a franchised, London like model. Greater Manchester’s buses would be better value for money, more convenient and accountable if publicly controlled, an audience heard at a panel discussion organised by the Better Buses […]
Five reasons why Greater Manchester buses must be re-regulated
Last week consultation began over the future of buses in Greater Manchester. Since deregulation in the 1980s bus usage has declined while prices have risen. Change is needed and there are two main options to choose from. Re-regulation in the form of franchising or a private bus company backed partnership model. This is the case […]
Bus companies should be forced to provide a fleet that does not harm us
Pascale Robinson from The Better Buses for Greater Manchester campaign argues that re-regulating our bus services would improve our health, environment and economy. Better Buses are putting on a film and Q&A session at Bolton Socialist Club, Friday 22 March, 8 till 10pm. “The public ownership of rail, better control of bus services and investment […]
‘Critical for a liveable, prosperous and sustainable city’: Manchester City Council leader weighs in on bus reform
As public support grows for bus regulation in Greater Manchester, campaigners from Better Buses for Greater Manchester this week have been taking local council leaders for a ride… on a bus. Throughout Better Buses Action Week local residents have been inviting council leaders onto their commutes to convince them to support bus regulation and to […]
76% in favour of re-regulating bus services in Greater Manchester poll results show
As the Greater Manchester mayoral office deliberates on how best to organise bus services across the region a poll has shown that 76% of those questioned would prefer bus services to be re-regulated, on a model similar to London’s. The poll also showed that 82% agreed that local authorities “should have more control over bus […]
Better Buses call public meeting to get regulation in Greater Manchester
Campaign group Better Buses for Greater Manchester has organised a public meeting for next week, calling for GM Mayor Andy Burnham to choose a London-style system of publicly controlled regulated buses. The meeting is on Wednesday 6 February, 6:30pm-8:30pm, at the Manchester Art Gallery. Last week, Salford councillor Roger Jones estimated that, even if Greater […]