Edinburgh bus driver strike suspended after progress in talks

31 July 2019, 15:37 | Updated: 31 July 2019, 16:13

A planned strike by bus drivers in Edinburgh has been suspended after progress was made during crunch talks.

Drivers for Lothian Buses had been due to strike on Friday - the first day of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

However, Unite the union said "sufficient progress" had been made during talks to resolve the dispute.

Union members voted for strike action last month, with concerns raised over a "hostile" culture at the bus firm.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the union said: "Unite can confirm that sufficient progress has been made in negotiations between the union, Lothian Buses and stakeholders to suspend the strike action set to begin on Friday.

"Additional proposals were tabled which we will now put to our members and a workplace ballot will take place on August 9.

"We are confident these latest proposals will give our members the assurances they require to positively address this long running issue."

Lothian Buses said it hopes an agreement reached with the union will now be passed in order to avoid industrial action.

A statement read: "Positive talks with Unite have led to a deal being agreed between Lothian and union officials which will suspend Friday's proposed strike action.

"Unite will now take forward the jointly agreed proposal to their members with a recommendation for acceptance.

"It is the hope of both parties that this agreement will be passed in order to avoid any industrial action."