TIMETABLE disruption is expected after dozens of Newport Bus workers voted to go on strike on Tuesday over pay.

As revealed by the Argus last month, the electoral reform services wrote to Andy Richards, regional secretary of Unite the Union, informing them that 67 Newport Bus workers voted for industrial action.

The company, which employs more than 250 people, had offered staff an improved pay deal totalling 3.5 per cent.

The rise included a pay increase of 1.75 per cent in the current financial year backdated to April 1 and a further 1.75 per cent rise from April 1, 2017, but this was rejected by union members.

In a statement, the board of Newport Transport said: “Over the last 12 months, other bus operators in the region have been forced into making staff redundancies because of government cuts to bus funding.

“Despite these cuts, and the uncertain economic climate ahead, Newport Transport has chosen to continue investing in its workforce, their pay, and conditions.

“We have worked closely throughout this period with the staffs’ union and ACAS, and believe we had put together a package that gave our staff a generous pay award, yet crucially protected the company’s ability to sustain and invest in the services that are so vitally important to our customers. 

“We will continue to work closely with the union and our staff and hope that they will reconsider this final offer.”

On the day of industrial action the company hope to operate as many services as possible between 6.30am and 7pm.

A spokesman for Newport Transport added: “Our customers are of paramount importance to us and we will work tirelessly to ensure we operate as full a service as possible during the period of industrial action.

“Any temporary changes to timetables will be advised of immediately on our website, social media and on our buses.”

Three weeks ago, Ken Fish, regional officer for Unite the Union told the Argus that union representatives were working with ACAS, an organisation devoted to preventing and resolving employment disputes.

He previously said: "We are in a position we don’t wish to be in.”

The South Wales Argus attempted to contact Unite the Union for an updated comment, but were unsuccessful.