Staff at Transport for Greater Manchester are walking out for four more days from today (Tuesday) in a dispute over pay.
Union leaders were invited to meet with bosses this afternoon to discuss ways to settle the dispute.
However, management cancelled the meeting at short notice so the strike is to go ahead as planned from Tuesday to Friday, UNISON says.
Employees represented by UNISON work as route planners, station assistants, engineers, IT experts, administrators, control room operators and cleaners.
In addition to several previous days of strike action, the staff have been taking part in a work to rule since Monday 27 October.
This week’s strike of four consecutive days marks an escalation of the dispute, says the union.
UNISON says the workers were due a wage rise more than six months ago. They have already voted overwhelmingly to reject a 3.2% offer.
UNISON Transport for Greater Manchester branch secretary Tony Wilson said: “Management contacted unions on Friday to discuss ways to end this dispute, but they cancelled shortly before it was scheduled to take place today.
“The disruption will continue until management makes a fair and improved pay offer. It must reflect the contribution the workers make to keeping Manchester’s transport network safe and running smoothly.”