Passengers in Bury and across the region are set to see two days of travel turmoil due to industrial action on the tram network.

Workers are set to strike for two days from June 10 after 95 per cent of Unite the Union members supported the action in a vote.

The reason for the industrial action on the tram network is a pay rise of five per cent proposed by KeolisAmey Metrolink (KAM), which runs the service on behalf of its owner Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM).

Unite the Union described the pay rise as 'woeful' in light of a rate of inflation only out of double figures in the last few weeks in particular as some figures from Companies House suggest KAM was profitable last year.

The union's general secretary Sharon Graham said: "Our members at Metrolink are workers who play a vital role in keeping Manchester moving. It is incomprehensible Metrolink thinks it is in any way acceptable to suppress their pay when workers are struggling with a cost of living crisis.

"We are dedicated to defending and enhancing the jobs, pay and conditions of our members and the workforce at Metrolink will receive our unflinching support."

The strike coincides with events like Parklife Festival at Heaton Park and Soccer Aid at Old Trafford as well as Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters at the AO Arena and singer-songwriter The Weeknd at the Etihad Stadium.

The union said management refused further talks but Rob Cox, HR director at KAM, said he sent an invitation to representatives to return to the table.

Mr Cox said: "I contacted Unite asking them to meet with me. I urge them to accept this invitation.

"From January to March this year we met with Unite on 12 occasions before making our final offer of five per cent. 

"After rejecting our offer, Unite took the decision to ballot for strike action rather than reaching out for further talks. 

"We recognised the valuable contribution made by employees by increasing all salaries by 7.8 per cent last year."

This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.