Bee Network Bus Strikes: Latest Status, Dates & Updates

Manchester’s Bee Network bus dispute split in two in autumn 2025: driver strikes at Stagecoach and Metroline ended with a 12% pay deal, while TfGM support staff strikes escalated into December. For passengers, the practical difference is immediate — bus routes are running normally, but interchange and tram services could still face disruption.

Strike Status: Drivers’ strikes over · Affected Workers: Nearly 2,000 Unite members · Operators: Stagecoach and Metroline · Planned Dates: 12, 13, 19, 20 December 2025 · TfGM Status: Ongoing dispute

These key facts anchor the Bee Network dispute narrative across operators, unions, and timelines.

Are Bee buses on strike?

The Bee Network bus drivers’ strikes have been called off. After planned walkouts in October 2025, workers at Stagecoach Manchester and Metroline accepted an improved pay offer reported by the UK Strike Action Calendar. The deal is worth 12% over two years — 5.9% backdated to April 2025, with another 5.9% from April 2026.

However, TfGM support staff strikes remain active. Unite and Unison members at TfGM — covering ticketing, passenger assistance, route planning, and information services — have further strike dates scheduled for December 2025, according to ITV News Granada. These are separate from the bus drivers and affect the broader Bee Network including trams.

Current travel alerts from TfGM

The distinction matters for passengers: if you’re catching a Stagecoach or Metroline bus, service should be running normally now. If you’re using TfGM services — including Metrolink trams and staffed interchange points — disruptions may still occur if December strikes proceed.

Is the Bee Network strike called off?

Yes — for bus drivers specifically. Stagecoach and Metroline workers accepted the 12% pay deal, suspending strikes that had been planned for October 2025. The UK Strike Action Calendar confirms the resolution.

For TfGM staff, the picture is different. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham was quoted by ITV News Granada saying TfGM’s behaviour towards workers was “atrocious” and that strikes would continue until an acceptable offer was made. Strikes are set for 12, 13, 19, and 20 December 2025.

Pay deal details from Unite

The Stagecoach/Metroline deal covers nearly 2,000 workers across Greater Manchester. For TfGM staff, a separate deal offered up to 8.9% for the lowest paid, plus doubled standby and call-out payments backdated to April 2024 — but Unite members rejected a 3.2% offer that fell below the RPI inflation rate of 4.6%, per the UK Strike Action Calendar.

Official confirmation from TfGM

TfGM has acknowledged ongoing pay negotiations. The director reportedly rejected a 9% rise plus four-day week proposal as a 30% cost increase, deeming it unaffordable, per WSWS reporting. Mayor Andy Burnham was reportedly involved in talks, according to the UK Strike Action Calendar TfGM.

Are the buses still on strike in Manchester?

Bus-only passengers can breathe easier. Stagecoach and Metroline driver strikes have been suspended. Services should be running as scheduled on those routes.

The remaining disruptions come from TfGM support staff strikes, which could affect bus interchanges and information services even if buses themselves are running. According to the WSWS, Unite regional officer Samantha Marshall stated that TfGM is “entirely responsible for the disruption to passengers” that will be caused across Manchester’s bus and tram network.

Latest from Bee Network operators

Stagecoach Manchester/Wigan and Metroline are operating normally following the pay settlement. September 2025 strikes had affected two-thirds of buses, per the University of Manchester Student News, but those walkouts were called off mid-course.

Why are bus drivers on strike?

The dispute centres on pay falling behind inflation. TfGM workers have seen their pay drop in real terms since 2009, according to the Stop the Drop Campaign. The union argues that below-inflation rises, combined with the intensified workload of transitioning to Bee franchising, have left members worse off.

Unite rejected a 3.2% offer — below the RPI rate of 4.6% — as insufficient. TfGM director Warrener rejected a 9% demand plus four-day week as a 30% cost increase, per WSWS reporting. The eventual Bee drivers’ deal of 12% over two years was framed as an improvement that workers accepted.

Dispute background

Both Unite and Unison have been involved. Around 400 Unison members — route planners, station assistants, engineers — participated in strikes, per WSWS. Unison regional organiser Kevin Dolan noted the improved proposal “helped address concerns about on-call payments and family friendly policies,” according to the UK Strike Action Calendar TfGM.

Union demands met

For Bee drivers, the 12% deal met the threshold for acceptance. For TfGM staff, negotiations continued — with December dates marking an escalation. The pay offer of £1,290 was rejected by Unite members, per the UK Strike Action Calendar TfGM.

What are Bee Network bus strike dates?

Bee drivers’ strikes were initially planned across multiple October dates — 10, 11, 13, 18, 23, and 24 October 2025, per the Stop the Drop Action Page. Most were suspended after the pay offer was improved.

TfGM staff strikes have continued into November and December. October strikes covered 18, 20, 30 October; November saw action on 5, 7, 12, 14, 25, 27, per the Stop the Drop Action Page. December dates set are 12, 13, 19, and 20 — with 19–20 being the key days for passenger disruption.

Planned action dates

The December schedule targets what ITV News Granada describes as the heaviest disruption period: 19–20 December, coinciding with pre-Christmas shopping and hospitality activity. Disruption is expected to impact bus and tram services across Greater Manchester interchanges including Bolton, Shudehill, Stockport, Ashton, Leigh, Oldham, and Altrincham, per the Stop the Drop Action Page.

Cancelled events

September 2025 Bee strikes (19–22) were called off after an improved offer. The October 2025 driver deal was also resolved without further strike action. TfGM staff strikes in late 2024 were suspended after a “full and final” offer, but the 2025 dispute escalated further, per the Stop the Drop Campaign.

Timeline

Strike activity split between operator-level driver settlements and TfGM’s ongoing dispute with support staff.

The timeline shows a split outcome: bus driver disputes resolved relatively quickly through improved pay, while TfGM staff disputes escalated through autumn into December. This reflects different employer relationships — operators versus TfGM itself.

Passengers monitoring TfGM services should treat December strike dates as active contingencies rather than confirmed disruptions.

Quotes

TfGM’s behaviour towards these workers is atrocious. Our members have put forward a reasonable pay request that TfGM can more than afford to meet.

— Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary (ITV News Granada)

TfGM is entirely responsible for the disruption to passengers that will be caused across Manchester’s bus and tram network.

— Samantha Marshall, Unite regional industrial officer (WSWS)

The latest proposal was an improvement and helped address concerns about on-call payments and family friendly policies.

— Kevin Dolan, Unison regional organiser (UK Strike Action Calendar TfGM)

Three voices, three perspectives: the union general secretary’s combative tone reflects a hardline stance against TfGM management; the regional officer acknowledges incremental progress while maintaining pressure; Unison’s organiser accepts the improved deal as movement in the right direction.

Related reading: cost of living payments · NHS pay rates

Frequently asked questions

For commuters relying on Bee Network services, the key takeaway is straightforward: bus routes are running normally now that driver strikes have ended, but those who depend on TfGM-managed services should monitor alerts through December as support staff strikes could still cause disruption.