More talks as bus strike looms

It would be the second time the city has faced the threat of an all-out strike in two weeks.

Representatives from the Transport and General Workers' Union were meeting with management from the First Bradford bus company this afternoon to try to avert the crisis.

They were discussing new proposals put forward by the company which, if the union representatives accept them, will then be put to its 400 members.

If they reject the new offer the first date for industrial action would be Friday as the seven days 'cooling off' period, which is legally required following a ballot for strike action, will have passed.

The TGWU's regional organiser, Ronnie Morrison, said: "After our members rejected the package they were offered last week we notified the management of the intention to strike. I want to resolve the dispute but the company has to be more positive in its approach. If there's no agreement reached today there will be a strike on Friday."

At the end of July frantic last minute talks staved off a 24-hour strike called after 400 drivers were balloted over working conditions and the introduction of five new Sovereign Services bus routes.

First Bradford - formerly Bradford Traveller - then offered drivers a package which included phased reduction of working hours, an increase in the hourly rate and the withdrawal of the fare box on Sovereign Service routes. This offer was accepted by the Bradford branch of the TGWU but rejected by the drivers and further strike action was voted for in a ballot last Thursday.

A First Bradford spokesman said: "Strike action has been suspended so far. Hopefully this afternoon's meeting will result in a settlement which is satisfactory for both sides.

"The worst case scenario is that we can't agree and then the union have the right to call for more industrial action."

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