Bus drivers operating in the Wilts and Dorset areas are striking in a row over hours of work.

More than 375 members of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) have started the first of four separate days of strike action after last-ditch talks failed to resolve an ongoing dispute over what they claim are “excessive” driving hours and imposed rosters.

Union members at Blandford, Bournemouth, Lymington, Poole, Ringwood and Swanage depots began the 24-hour strike from 00:01 today with further industrial action scheduled for Tuesday 8, Wednesday 16 and Monday 21 January.

Drivers claim they should not be rostered for more than four-and-a-half hours’ continuous driving.

“Our reps went into talks again last Friday hoping that two massive votes for strike action would have shown Wilts and Dorset that our members are serious about winning sensible and safe rosters,” said RMT general secretary Bob Crow.

“The company might think that is acceptable for drivers responsible for passenger safety to drive for more than four-and-a-half hours without a break, but we do not and I would hope that most Wilts and Dorset passengers don’t either.

“We have run out of other options and I hope that Wilts and Dorset passengers will support the stand we are making for their and our members’ safety. As ever we remain available for talks, but the stonewalling must stop and tomorrow’s strike goes ahead,” Crow added.

Alex Carter, managing director of Wilts and Dorset, responded: “The vast majority of our shifts already comply with the RMT’s latest claim, and within that driving time there are short breaks anyway, when the bus reaches the end of its route, or for the driver to change buses.”

Carter went onto say that higher operating costs, including fuel increases and wage agreements, were adding to the problems:

“Some routes may have to be cut, altered, or subsidised by the tax payer should the union get their way, and fares would increase again,” he said.