A dispute between First Dorset and bus drivers over pay looks set to continue as the company accused the union of failing to understand the arbitration process.

Bus driver are back on strike this week in the long ongoing dispute.

Drivers are seeking an eight percent pay rise to bring their pay in line with counterparts in Yeovil.

First has argued that this is not viable.

Today, First Dorset said that Unite the Union has failed to understand the arbitration process and effectively extended the ongoing dispute.

The company added that Unite informed the conciliation service ACAS that it wanted to reserve the right to vote on the arbitrator’s binding decision.

First said that ACAS pointed out to them this is at odds with the principles of the arbitration process, which is that the decision of the arbitrator is binding on both parties.

Marc Reddy, managing director First Dorset, said: “Arbitration is the logical and sensible means of bringing this dispute to an end and we were encouraged that the Union finally showed willingness to enter the process. However, any prospect of a settlement through binding arbitration is now in question until the union gets its act together.

“Last week we were accused by Unite of ‘stalling’. However, we have been saying for weeks that Unite’s condition of putting the binding arbitration’s decision to a vote is incompatible with ACAS procedures.

“Unfortunately, I don’t think the drivers’ interests are served by a union that is making avoidable mistakes. This dispute is now in its third month and could have been settled weeks and possibly months ago if it wasn’t for the union’s internal chaos.

“I call on the union to get its act together and commit to binding arbitration talks so that we can resolve this dispute and get our hard-working drivers back to what they do best – serving our customers and driving buses.”

First Dorset states that it pays its employees a fair wage, with above inflation pay awards over recent years.

Responding to the claims, Unite regional officer Bob Lanning, said that attempts to settle the dispute have been hindered by First Dorset's "unwllingness" to enter in to meaningful talks. 

He added that Unite has agreed to go to arbitration and that the union is "dismayed" by First tinkering with terms of reference.

Drivers will be striking tomorrow (Wednesday) and from Friday until Sunday this week.