Bus and tram services across Greater Manchester could be facing disruption in the coming weeks as staff plan to strike over "years of falling wages".

Around 200 bus and tram workers employed by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) have voted in favour of industrial action over pay.

Unite the Union said the "predominantly low-paid workers are angry at having suffered years of below inflation pay rises" which have resulted in their wages falling in real terms.

A spokesperson for TfGM said the company is "proud" of its real living wage accreditation and said it is committed to continuing discussions to avoid strikes.

The possible action comes as workers rejected an offer of a £1,290 pay increase as they are demanding a rise that reflects the increased cost of living and reverses the fall in the value of their wages.

TfGM says the £1,290 increase would apply to all colleagues up to and including those on an annual salary of £52,866 while those above this threshold were offered a 2.5 per cent increase.

The union said TfGM claims it cannot provide a better offer because it is "tied" to one put forward by the Passenger Forum, of which the West Midlands and West Yorkshire Combined Authorities are also members.

However, Unite said other regional transport authorities have left the Passenger Forum to negotiate pay deals with their staff directly.

Unite regional officer Howard Percival said: “Any disruption caused to the travelling public will be entirely the fault of Transport for Greater Manchester.

"Its use of the Passenger Forum is just an excuse to try and get out of paying these workers fairly.

“Strike action can still be avoided but that will require TGM sitting down with Unite and tabling an offer our members can accept.”

If a deal cannot be agreed, strike action will be announced in the coming days and will impact ticketing, passenger assistance and information services across the Greater Manchester bus and tram network.

Staff reportedly involved in the strike action include those in office-based roles, as well as frontline colleagues at the interchanges and information and ticket offices, but not frontline transport workers such as Metrolink and bus drivers.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham added: “Transport for Greater Manchester workers have seen their wages eroded year after year.

"The current pay offer does nothing to rectify that.

"They are absolutely right to strike and they have Unite’s full support in doing so.”

In response, Steve Warrener, managing director of TfGM, said: “While union members have voted in favour of industrial action over pay, we’re committed to continuing discussions with the aim of avoiding strikes and minimising any impact on our passengers.

"We are proud to be a long-standing member of the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter, with real living wage accreditation.”