Feared bus strike averted (From The Argus)

Feared bus strike averted

7:09pm Friday 9th May 2008 in

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More than 150 bus drivers will not strike after a union accepted a pay offer - but 600 others could still walk out.

Members of two separate unions at the Brighton and Hove Bus and Coach Company are currently being balloted over strike action.

More than 150 members of the GMB union have decided to accept the company's revised offer which encompassed changes to terms and conditions.

Meanwhile almost 600 members of the Transport and General Workers' Union (T&G) have been voting in a similar ballot and the results are expected next week.

The pay offer from the Brighton and Hove Bus and Coach Company to the union varies for drivers with different lengths of service with the company.

Last month, in an informal T&G ballot, 404 voted in favour of industrial action, with 188 against.

If a yes vote is returned, the union then has to agree on whether to hold a 24 or 48-hour walkout, which could bring the city to a virtual standstill.

Any strike action is expected to take place this month. A result is expected on Tuesday or Wednesday.