HUNDREDS of workers on Manchester’s bus and tram network began a two-day strike today in protest against a below-inflation pay offer.

Up to 400 Unison members and more than 200 Unite members at Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) will walk out again tomorrow after rejecting a 3.2 per cent pay offer.

The route planners, station assistants, engineers, IT experts, administrators, control room operators and cleaners have been observing a work-to-rule since October 27.

Further 24-hour strikes are planned next week.

Unison TfGM branch secretary Tony Wilson said: “These dedicated and hard-working staff have made major changes to the network possible.

“They’ve taken on more responsibilities and risen to every challenge, yet their pay has been steadily eroded.”

Unison general secretary Christina McAnea said that the workers had been left “with no option other than to strike as they continue to be denied a decent, fair pay rise that helps them keep pace with rising bills.”

Unite pointed out that the offer represents a real-terms pay cut, since the retail price index rate of inflation is currently 4.6 per cent.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite does not accept pay cuts dressed up as increases, which is exactly what TfGM is offering its staff. These workers have Unite’s total support in their fight for a reasonable pay offer.”

The unions are also dispute with TfGM over stand-by, call-out and four-day working week policies.

TfGM managing director Steve Warrener said that the local government body was continuing discussions with the unions and that its current offer would ensure no worker earned less than £15.10 an hour.