By Charlotte Hall

Andy Burnham has offered to 'come to the negotiating table' with union members over striking Transport for Greater Manchester employees – after taking aim at 'unjustified' demands.  

In a letter to Unite and Unison representatives, the Greater Manchester mayor called the strikes 'disappointing'. But he offered to meet with union representatives to 'discuss' a deal – under strict conditions.  

TfGM workers are striking over pay and working conditions from today (December 12) until Sunday (December 15) and December 20-23. The strikes don't include bus and tram drivers but will affect ticket offices, customer service and information desks. 

Employees were recently offered a pay rise of up to 9.5 percent for people who earn the least, while those who earn more than £51,000 will receive a rise of 2.5 percent in line with the settlement for staff at local authorities.

But union reps have instead asked for a 35-hour working week, a pay increase of £3,000 or 10 percent for all, and to tackle pay inequalities within TfGM. 

The Bee Network will roll out fully in Stockport from 5 January 2025 (Image - TfGM)

In the letter, which was posted on X, Mr Burnham said: "We are disappointed that industrial action has started today given the improved offer we tabled last week. 

"In our view, this is a fair proposal which focuses support for people on the lower pay bands whilst still maintaining an increase for staff at all levels that keeps pace with inflation. …

"We cannot understand why this reasonable offer has not been put to a member ballot in Greater Manchester." 

The mayor offered to meet with union representatives tomorrow – on the strict condition that they remove their proposal from the table and use the existing deal as a starting point for discussions. He also refused to consider a reduction in the length of the working week. 

He added: "I want to be clear that I am not prepared to consider above-inflation pay increases for people on salaries between £51,000 and £96,000 as you have proposed, under any circumstances." 

Mr Burnham, who has criticised the timing of the strikes in the midst of the busy pre-Christmas period, added he would be willing to discuss better maternity, paternity and adoption leave and support for those on lowest pay "if the cost is met by changes elsewhere". 

Unison and Unite were approached for comment.

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