BUS drivers in Worcester could go on strike during the first day of the school summer holidays.

Almost 150 First Midland drivers in Worcestershire and Herefordshire are being balloted over the prospect of a walkout because of changes to their working conditions which the Unite union says its members didn’t agree to and which has left them worse off.

According to the union, the drivers’ working weeks have dropped from 39 to 37 hours, adding they now don’t get paid for carrying out ‘walk around’ checks of the vehicles. Should they agree to strike, the earliest they could down tools would be a week on Monday – July 22.

“The deal which the company said we agreed to and which covers how the buses run is at a detriment to our members,” said Chris Purvis, regional officer with the Unite union.

“Workload is not increased but the amount of money has reduced. We are in the process of balloting our members. That should end on Monday and that result will determine what action, if any, will be taken. I am currently in talks with First Midland to resolve the issue.

“I’m always hopeful that we can resolve this. This is the last thing we want to be doing and we want to work with First to resolve this.”

Mr Purvis said he has always had a good working relationship with First, adding should a strike go ahead any drivers doing an overnight Sunday shift would complete their normal working hours into the Monday before striking.

He said the 149 balloted drivers are employed in either Worcester or Hereford.

First said it was “disappointed” at the news. “We are disappointed that Unite are balloting their members for strike action as we have recently completed negotiations that resulted in changes to the pay structures of our staff,” said Nigel Barrett, regional managing director for First South East and Midlands.

“We have a signed agreement to these changes from Unite, which they are now trying to withdraw from. We are happy to discuss the issues that Unite have regarding the changes and have offered to meet their representatives but not under the threat of strike action.”