STOP the DROP!


PAY CLAIM 2025

Coins being squeezed in a vice

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Metrolink tram and Bee Network Bus

A free bus and tram pass for all staff, including their spouse / partner and children.

A salary sacrifice scheme for staff to buy electric vehicles.

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A pair of scales

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Affordability

Gold bars

20 staff had remuneration of £100,000 or more including severance payments but not pension contributions.

TfGM had an income of £592m in 2023-4, with just £55.3m spent on wages and salaries (excluding time recharged to capital projects) – just 9.3% of total income. This means that pay rises have a much smaller impact on TfGM’s overall finances than is the case for most organisations, which are more labour-intensive.

TfGM has to stop saving money by taking it from their workers’ pockets. We need a few years where our pay catches up with some of what it has lost to inflation.


  • Why a four-day week?
    Read more about what a four-day week would mean and the case for it.
  • What’s the story with TfGM pay?
    Depending on your pay point, TfGM pay has fallen between 18% and 46% over the last fifteen years, in real terms.
  • 2025 pay claim submitted
    Key points in the claim include an increase to all pay points of 5% plus inflation, a reduction in hours without loss of pay to enable a four-day week, and improvements to staff travel.
  • Getting family friendlier
    Since the strikes in December 2024 TfGM has been working with UNISON and Unite on new family friendly policies. The details are still being finalised, but the proposed improvements are dramatic and represent a real achievement by all those involved. Further policies (neonatal, baby loss, fertility treatment and shared leave) are expected to be discussed,… Read more: Getting family friendlier
  • Pay offer accepted
    Union members at TfGM voted to accept the latest pay offer by 62.5%.
  • Union members’ ballot on latest offer
    Voting starts on ‘improved and final’ offer, while industrial action is suspended.
  • Industrial Action suspended
    Following an improved offer, which TfGM describes as ‘full and final’, both unions suspended all industrial action (strikes and Action Short of Strike) up to and including the strikes planned on Monday 23 December 2024. The unions will ballot members on the new offer. Further details will be sent to members as soon as practicable.
  • TfGM strike day #2 and talks
    Talks this afternoon. New offer expected. Action currently going ahead but please check this site if you are due to work this weekend.
  • TfGM strike day #1
    The UNISON and Unite strike at TfGM got off to a strong start today.
  • TfGM is not family friendly enough
    Rights for new parents are extremely poor and outdated, with a big impact on staff starting families.
  • Offer rejected, action starts on Thursday
    UNISON and Unite polled members today and a resounding 76% voted to reject TfGM’s latest offer without a ballot and go ahead with industrial action from Thursday 12 December. You can see details of the strikes, Action Short Of Strike, pickets and protests on stopthedrop.uk/action. TfGM is likely to assess the participation in and impact… Read more: Offer rejected, action starts on Thursday
  • Update following joint members’ meeting
    UNISON and Unite members at TfGM want reps to reject the offer now, rather than delaying negotiations by going through a ballot.
  • Industrial action called
    UNISON and Unite have both given notice to TfGM of industrial action starting on 12 December 2024.
  • Update on pay dispute
    Talks ongoing, with some progress.
  • Industrial action ballot results
    Members of both UNISON and Unite at TfGM have voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action.
  • Pay calculator and ballot FAQs
    UNISON and Unite have published Frequently Asked Questions about the ballot. Check your pay with UNISON’s calculator.
  • Response to senior management ‘pay negotiations update’
    Misleading information is voter suppression. Use your vote to make all votes count.
  • Pay strike ballots about to open
    Ballot papers are being posted out to Unite and UNISON members at TfGM on 24 and 25 October respectively.
  • Get ballot-ready!
    Union members voted by a large majority to reject the pay offer and that they were prepared to take sustained action in pursuit of a better offer. The latest Stop the Drop flier explains what you need to do now, whether you are a member or not. Click the image to read more.
  • 2024 pay offer REJECTED
    Union members rejected the pay offer by a large majority. Preparations for statutory industrial action ballots have begun.
  • Pay update 6 June 2024
    Talks but still no pay offer from our employers. Unions set a deadline.
  • But aren’t prices falling now?
    Inflation has come down, but prices are still rising. Other workers are winning above inflation pay rises.
  • Pay update 8 May 2024
    Update following the first negotiating meeting on 18 April.
  • Timeline
    It can be hard to keep track of everything going on – this page shows the timeline of the 2024 pay negotiations process and will be updated.
  • A shorter working week would offset the loss of wellbeing time
    A Project Manager explains the importance of time off when caring for loved ones and dealing with bereavement.
  • 37 hours is too long
    A new starter at TfGM, who has chosen to remain anonymous, describes the impact of a 37-hour week on them.
  • Paternity leave no better than at Wetherspoons
    Assistant Project Manager Recardo Nguty explains how his paternity leave at TfGM was identical to his experience at Wetherspoons.
  • Make low pay go away
    Many TfGM staff at band 5 and below are paid less than £15 an hour, while outsourced staff aren’t even guaranteed £12 an hour.
  • What are pay gaps and why do they matter?
    What are pay gaps, what causes them, and what should TfGM be doing?
  • What are standby allowances?
    Standby rates are so low, not having been updated for many years, that some managers can’t find volunteers to work standby.
  • How does pay work at TfGM?
    What is the process, and what are job evaluation, pay bands, points and rates?
  • How has TfGM pay dropped?
    The value of TfGM pay has dropped over time. With inflation lower now, TfGM can STOP the DROP with an above-inflation pay increase.
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