TRANSPORT chaos in Southampton has been averted after bus drivers voted to suspend strike action planned for next Monday morning.

The move came after management at First Southampton indicated they were prepared to compromise on their controversial proposals affecting working conditions.

Transport and General Workers' Union negotiators went straight into talks with management after yesterday's mass meeting outside Transport House.

Management wants to increase the time a driver can spend at the wheel before having to take a break from the current 3.75 hours to anything up to the legal maximum of 5.5 hours.

They also want to scrap paid breaks and reduce them to a maximum of half-an-hour. Both measures are being fiercely resisted by the 280-strong workforce.

Transport and General Workers Union regional organiser Jenny Sandle said the company had adopted a more positive approach since Richard Soper took over as managing director following the departure of Ian Phillips.

She said: "Not only have the management shown a readiness to compromise for the first time since July, they have also promised that nothing will be imposed unilaterally while meaningful negotiations continue.

"And if negotiations do break down, they are ready to go to the ACAS and, again, that is another change as before they wouldn't consider that option."

The drivers had planned to strike between 8 and 10am on Monday and on Saturday, November 13 between 11am and 1pm.

But Ms Sandle stressed that there was a long way to go before the threat of strike action would be lifted for good.

She said: "Nothing is going to happen overnight. There are still fundamental differences in the positions each side has going into negotiations.

"There was a small but significant minority of drivers who wanted to go ahead with Monday's action.''

No one at First Bus was available for comment.

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