Go North West drivers in Bolton, Denton, Heywood and Wigan angry over huge pay disparities with Bee Network colleagues

Nearly 600 Bee Network drivers employed by Go North West in Bolton, Denton, Heywood and Wigan are to be balloted for strike action over pay, Unite, the UK’s leading union, said today.

The workers are angry that their pay is significantly below that of Bee Network drivers employed by other operators and have rejected a 3.8 per cent pay offer.  

Bee Network drivers employed by Metroline and Stagecoach earn £19.06 per hour compared to just £15.51 per hour for Go North West drivers.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Go North West can more than afford to close the huge pay disparity these workers are suffering despite doing exactly the same job as their Bee Network colleagues. Unite never stops fighting for our members’ jobs, pay and conditions and the Go North West drivers will receive their union’s full support.”

Go North West is part of the Go Ahead Group, which brought in revenues of £3.8 billion in the 18 months to December 2024 at the same time as paying dividends of £80 million.

The drivers will be balloted until 2 June, with potential industrial action this summer causing severe disruption to bus services in Bolton, Denton, Heywood and Wigan and across Greater Manchester.

Unite regional officer John O’Neill said: “Go North West will be totally responsible for any disruption caused to passengers because it is refusing to offer a fair deal. There is still time for industrial action to be avoided, but that will require the company tabling a deal that is acceptable to its drivers.”

ENDS

For media enquires ONLY contact senior Unite communications officer Ryan Fletcher on 07849 090215 or 020 3371 2065.

Email: ryan.fletcher@unitetheunion.org

Unite is Britain and Ireland’s largest union with members working across all sectors of the economy. The general secretary is Sharon Graham.