AROUND 250 drivers at Bury's bus depot are to be balloted over strike action in an on-going pay dispute.

Together with 650 colleagues at First's other depots in Bolton and Wigan, they have rejected a proposed salary package put forward by the company.

The staff, members of the T&G union, are primarily fighting for equal pay to match new starter hourly rates with those paid to drivers who joined before 1992.

Mr Jimmy Green, T&G convenor at the Bury depot in Rochdale Road, said: "At the moment, new starters earn £2.30p an hour less than those who joined before 1992. That's because these staff are on protected pay and conditions. Overall, there are eight rates of pay, but ideally we'd like the one rate."

He added: "We will now be taking part in a postal ballot on strike action which should be ready within the next few weeks. We want equal pay for doing the same job. "

The 900 Bury, Bolton and Wigan staff, which form First's west unit, have overwhelmingly rejected First's pay package, of which the new-starter hourly rates are part.

Although under the current offer the £5 an hour new start rate will increase to £6, Mr Green stresses that those who joined the company during the last 11 years will never earn the same hourly pay as those who have have been with the bus firm prior to 1992.

A spokesman for First said the Manchester and Oldham depots, which form the company's east unit, had agreed a pay deal some months ago.