Edinburgh bus drivers strike over pay

Bus drivers in Edinburgh staged the first of a series of one-day strikes today, after talks with Lothian Buses management about a pay offer failed to reach agreement .

Almost 1,400 employees of Lothian Buses have started the  action – the first strike in more than 20 years – after their 6.15% pay claim was rejected. The company has offered a 5% rise.

Today is the first of three one-day stoppages, with others scheduled for 30 and 31 July. The drivers are also refusing to work any overtime so, from tomorrow, a Saturday timetable will run until the action is called off.

Peter Williamson, chair of the Lothian Buses branch of the Transport and General Workers Union said: "Strike action is always the last resort, and not a first, and we just feel we have come to the end of meaningful negotiations.

“Management have given us a deal, but the conditions attached to that we feel are making our employment conditions worse and we are not prepared to accept that," he said.

Lothian Buses said the company is “very disappointed” with the drivers' decision as the a pay rise offer is above the rate of inflation.