Strike action by 2,000 Greater Manchester bus drivers at Stagecoach, First Bus and Metroline scheduled for Tuesday to Thursday this week was largely suspended at the last minute by Unite in collusion with Labour Mayor Andy Burnham. He insisted Greater Manchester and the country “was not awash with money.” While cultivating a “soft left” image and positioning himself as a possible successor to Keir Starmer as Labour Party leader, Burnham is no less committed to the government’s pro-business, anti-working-class agenda in Greater Manchester. The WSWS warned before the strike began:“Greater Manchester bus drivers at Stagecoach, Metroline and First Bus must establish a joint strike committee to take control of the dispute. The deals drawn up between Unite and Stagecoach/First Bus executives must be rejected to make a joint stand with Metroline drivers. Unite has organised a strike ballot of its 200 members which closes October 1, claiming to be organising action across Greater Manchester.