BUS drivers have begun voting on strikes that would cause mayhem in the run-up to Christmas.

Unions have clashed with the First Hampshire and Dorset bus company over break times. After failing to find a resolution, Unite union workers are being balloted on whether to take industrial action.

The unions claim that because of delays on the road and other duties, some bus drivers are left with just ten minutes between shifts.

This is fiercely disputed by company bosses who say that drivers get more than the 30 minutes required by law.

They add that should a driver have insufficient rest time, managers would arrange cover or take the bus out themselves.

Staff can also take extra breaks but they will be unpaid, they claim.

Drivers previously voted in favour of a strike but the company put in a legal challenge, claiming that it had not been given enough notice.

Rather than delaying industrial action by fighting the case, Unite decided to hold another ballot. That ballot will now close on December 12 and the Daily Echo understands that two-hour stoppages are being planned for the weekend of December 20.

Unite officer Jen Parker said: “We are confident we will win this ballot as feeling is running higher than ever as the company have been so indignant and stopped our previous ballot on a technicality.

“I would like to emphasise that we are happy to sit round a table and discuss this but First don’t seem willing to do this.”

A driver, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “It is not uncommon for us to have to drive for more than seven hours with less than |20 minutes’ break.

“In my opinion that is simply not safe and you can have the wellbeing of more than 70 passengers in your care. You have to be particular careful with elderly people standing up and you have the safety of other road-users to consider as well.”

The company has said that its break allowances not only met legal requirements but exceeded them, and claimed that the motivation behind the strike was pay.