HUNDREDS of First Manchester bus drivers are set to launch strike action tomorrow after they rejected a new pay offer which had “strings attached,” their union, Unite has warned.

The deal, split into two payments six months apart, comes amid rising anger from the 360 workers who are paid almost a pound an hour less than drivers at other local companies, the union charged. 

The company, which last month reported a £6 million profit boost to £226.8m, has also refused to engage in salary negotiations due earlier this year, it said.

General secretary Sharon Graham stressed: “This strings attached deal has caused more anger amongst a workforce that currently receives the lowest rates in the region.

“The lower pay rates makes other companies more attractive places to work, resulting in staffing shortages and increased workloads.”

The walkouts — targeting services in Rochdale, Oldham, Manchester and Ashton — will continue on Tuesday, Friday and on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday next week.

First Manchester managing director Ian Humphreys said he is “very disappointed and dismayed” by the industrial action and argued the firm’s “generous 15.2 per cent pay offer is well above inflation.”