in 2012 BUS drivers are threatening to ‘cause chaos’ by striking during the Olympics.

First Weymouth bus drivers claim they are the worst paid drivers in the region and have rejected a two-year pay deal.

Threats of strike action come after First Bus Group was announced as an official Games transport provider.

Final talks about pay will be held between unions and management on December 14.

The company said it is confident there will be no strike action and that talks would continue with the unions.

But one Weymouth driver, who didn’t wish to be named, said: “We are looking at industrial action and we’re thinking about striking during the Olympics if we don’t achieve this pay deal.

“There are about 100 drivers who are prepared to walk out.

“We’re thinking about half day strikes – it will cause chaos.

“We’re going to the table and saying that if we don’t get this then we’re going to have a strike through the Olympics next year when we know it will hit them the hardest and strikes on Monday mornings and Wednesday afternoons when people are trying to come back from the markets in Dorchester and Bridport.”

Drivers are also said to be upset because current sickness benefit will be replaced with a sliding scale attendance bonus scheme.

The driver added: “This has been on-going for three or four years now. We’re the lowest paid drivers in this area.

“There are guys out there with families and they are struggling.”

Drivers have rejected a two-year pay deal that will increase their basic pay from £7.70 an hour to £8 in the first year and to £8.20 in the second year. First bus management have offered for the established overtime rate to go up from £8.88 an hour to £9.18 an hour in the first year and £9.28 an hour in the second year.

A statement from Bob Lanning of Unite and Chris Bainbridge of First in Hampshire, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall to the Echo said pay negotiation talks are still ongoing and there is currently ‘no threat’ of strike action.

But a letter from Unite representative Nick Meyers told drivers that that he and RMT rep Ian Hook were of the opinion that this was ‘a final offer’ made by the company and no further offer would be established around the negotiating table. He said in the letter: “A rejection of this offer could lead to an industrial action ballot to try and resolve the situation.”

Bob Lanning of Unite and Chris Bainbridge of First, said pay negotiation talks are ongoing.

The statement said: “We can confirm that First Hampshire and Dorset and Unite the Union are currently in pay negotiation talks in respect of bus workers in Dorset.

“The talks are ongoing and while there has not, as yet, been agreement on what pay increases may or may not be possible, there is currently no threat of industrial action.

“The company and the union are in the process of arranging another meeting so negotiations can continue.

“Both the company and union wish to find a resolution to this matter which both recognises the hard work and loyalty shown by bus workers, but which also reflects the challenging economic times that are currently facing everyone, including businesses like First.”