Bee Network buses in Stockport and Greater Manchester could face 'severe' disruption, with drivers considering strike action.

Thousands of members of the Unite union are voting on whether or not to take strike action. The ballots close on 4 September.

At Stagecoach, around 1,000 drivers based across the Oldham, Stockport and Middleton depots have already rejected a pay offer of 3.5 per cent.

Unite has said that workers do not think the offer addresses years of low pay, or the cost-of-living crisis.

The union also argued that Stagecoach is "a highly profitable firm", and could therefore afford to make a fair pay offer.

As Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "Stagecoach, Metroline and First can all fully afford to make a fair pay offer but they are choosing not to to boost their profits."

(Image - Nub News)

Unite regional officer Colin Hayden added: "Should these strikes go ahead they would bring Manchester's bus network to a standstill.

"We appreciate that residents who rely on these bus services will be disappointed to hear of potential action, but it is entirely the fault of the employers. We urge them to come back to the table with improved offers to prevent what will be a highly disruptive strike."

In response, Stagecoach's Manchester Managing Director Rob Jones said: "We have met with the trade union representatives, who have rejected our initial offer of 3.5%.

"We remain committed to ensuring that drivers do receive an affordable pay increase and are keen to hold further talks and reach a resolution.

"We want to avoid industrial action, which is damaging to everyone and causes severe disruption to the daily lives of our customers."

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham called for a 'fair resolution'.

Speaking on BBC Radio Manchester, he said: "As the Bee Network, we will be making clear what we want is a fair resolution, fair to the people out there driving buses, it's not an easy thing to do."

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