BUS drivers go on strike today after 11th hour talks to reach a pay deal agreement broke down.

Drivers at First voted in favour of industrial action during a two-week ballot earlier this month, and the first of four 24-hour strikes was scheduled to begin at 4am today.

School buses in Bury, Bolton and Wigan will not be affected.

Representatives from Unite, the union which represents the workers, failed to reach an agreement with First after spending Wednesday locked in emergency talks with company bosses at the union’s Oldham headquarters.

Regional industrial organiser Bobby Morton said: “There will be no more talks until First change their minds over the pay freeze. I don’t see how they can sustain their position.”

Mr Morton said the strike may escalate to indefinite action, and may be co-ordinated with national strikes if no agreement is reached by the end of the month.

A First spokesman said the company had made a two per cent pay rise offer starting in April 2010, but the offer had been rejected.

He said: “We have to be realistic about what we can deliver and funding a larger pay award for drivers in this environment is simply not possible.”

Staff are angry because bosses declined to give them a pay rise this year, despite the company making £134 million profits in 2008.

Further strikes are due on September 14, 21 and 28.

julian.thorpe@ theboltonnews.co.uk