BUS drivers staged another walkout on Monday as First company bosses and union representatives remained in deadlock over a pay row.

Drivers picketed outside their depot in Rochdale Road, Bury, for the fifth time as passengers endured more misery.

Company bosses laid on a limited free service for some passengers travelling between Bury and Bolton, as well as school buses, but all other services in Bury, Bolton and Wigan came to a halt.

Drivers are angry because they have been given no pay rise this year, despite the company making £134 million profits last year.

Negotiations between the company and driver’s union, Unite, have repeatedly broken down since the strikes began last month, and Unite industrial organiser Bobby Morton said the strikes will continue until drivers are offered a pay rise this year.

He said: “At the end of the day, someone will give in.”

First has offered the drivers productivity-linked 0.5 per cent pay increase from October 2009 with a further 2.25 per cent from April 2010, which has been rejected by the union.

The company says it will also guarantee no compulsory redundancies for driving staff despite overstaffing at depots.

First managing director Andy Scholey said: “It is vitally important that we get some buses on the roads of Bury and Bolton to provide a service for our customers.

“We know our customers feel as frustrated as we do that the union will not make any compromises to its negotiating position.

“We are very disappointed that Unite rejected our final offer. This final offer is still on the table despite the Union refusing to consider it, and I would urge them to take the offer back to the members and allow them to vote on it.”

More 24-hour strikes are scheduled for every Monday throughout October.