Pay for Go North West drivers in Bolton, Denton, Heywood and Wigan jumps by £2.50 an hour

Nearly 600 Bee Network drivers in Bolton, Denton, Heywood and Wigan will receive pay rises of between 23 and 56 per cent over three years – with pay rising by £2.50 an hour for most in the first year.

The deal was secured after the Go North West workers, who are members of the UK’s leading union, Unite, voted for strike action.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This huge win was achieved by Unite reps and members standing together and voting for strike action. A massive well done to them. Once again, Unite’s total commitment to delivering better jobs, pay and conditions is putting money in our members’ pockets.”

The dispute was resolved before any industrial action took place, following negotiations between Unite and Go North West.

The deal, which workers voted to accept yesterday, sees baseline pay for most drivers increase from £15.51 an hour to £18 backed dated to April 2026. From April 2027 pay will increase to 19.50 an hour, before rising to £21 an hour from 2028.

Pay across wage scales will increase from between 23 per cent to 53 per cent over three years.

Unite regional officer Andy Wells said: “This sorely deserved pay rise is a prime example of why those who want better wages and working lives should join Unite and organise their colleagues to do the same. There is power in a union, there is power in Unite.”

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.