A Unite spokesman said members had rejected a pay increase offer of £1,290, and want a hike that factors in the cost of living crisis and “reverses the fall in the value of their wages in real terms”.
The strikes will not involve bus drivers but those working in roles including ticketing, passenger assistance and information services.
Mr Percival said TFGM had “brought the dispute on themselves with poverty pay rates”, adding a resolution was “in their hands”.
It comes with Manchester’s roads network already creaking under the pressure of extra Christmas demand, with bosses asking people to use public transport where possible.
The union has warned there could be further action if an agreement is not reached.
