Ongoing negotiationspublished at 09:08 BST 16 September

09:08 BST 16 September

Bea Swallow
BBC News, Bristol

Doug Claringbold, managing director of First Bus West of England, said negotiations with the trade union have been ongoing for the last six months.

Planned industrial action from 4 to 8 September was suspended to allow union members to vote on a new pay offer after drivers previously rejected a two-year pay deal. But the latest offer was also turned down.

“We put forward our best and final offer to get this over
the line and we were hopeful we would,” Mr Claringbold said.

“We had recommended offers from the trade union, but unfortunately
it’s been a very narrow vote.

“54% didn’t want it, 46% did, so that means there is
industrial action.”

Dough Claringbold wearing a black suit and dark blue tie and round glasses. He is standing in front of a bus stop in Bristol city centre. Behind him there are two buses queuing and several people waiting to board.Image source, First Bus

Mr Claringbold described the dispute as “frustrating”, emphasising his desire to reach a resolution.

“I want to keep talking but the situation is this: we’ve asked them to cancel their strike action and they’ve said they won’t,” he said.

“My door is always open, we want to resolve this dispute and we will continue to make ourselves available to dialogue. It’s through dialogue that we can fix this.”