Bus strike to go ahead

10:37am Friday 16th May 2008

Bus drivers in Brighton and Hove have voted to go on strike within the next two weeks over pay.

Members of the Transport and General Workersí Union (T&G) and company bosses are at loggerheads over a pay offer.

Dave Weeks, regional industrial organiser with the T&G, said: "The position is there has been a mandate from our members.

"We will be talking to the company in a last ditch effort to avoid industrial action."

Mr Weeks said the union had notified the company of the members vote to strike and would be meeting Roger French, the managing director of Brighton and Hove Bus and Coach Company, this morning to try and thrash out a deal.

The union has to strike within 28 days, barring any 11th hour deal, although it is understood it could take place within the next fortnight.

The row centres over the company's recent pay increase of offers to drivers. The increases range between 4% and 8% depending on drivers' length of service.

Out of 592 drivers balloted, 483 returned their papers with 315 voting for strike action. Two papers were spoilt with the remainder voting against action.

Mr French will be coming from this morning's meeting with union officials to our offices to face questions from our readers via our regular Friday Inquisition on this website.

The hour-long event starts at 12.30pm and a selection of the best questions and answers will be published in tomorrow's paper.

To send Mr French your questions go to theargus.co.uk/news/thefridayinquisition