'All out strike' as bus driver pay row rumbles on

The strikes will affect dates when singer Pink plays a gig at Anfield

A city's bus drivers could go on "all-out" strike, a union has warned after announcing a new series of walkouts in an ongoing row over pay.

Nearly 500 Stagecoach drivers in Liverpool represented by the union Unite voted to take action earlier this month after rejecting an offer from the operator which they have said is "unfair".

New strike dates between 5 and 8 July, and 12 and 15 July have been called, on top of an already announced walkout on 24 and 25 June.

Stagecoach has been contacted for comment.

'On the cheap'

The June strikes are set to disrupt transport links in the city on the two dates American pop star Pink is due to play at Anfield.

The dispute emerged after bus drivers working for Stagecoach in Liverpool said they were paid about £3,000-a-year less than counterparts working in the city for rival firm Arriva.

Unite's general secretary Sharon Graham said the bus company had "got away with paying its Liverpool drivers on the cheap".

His union has threatened the prospect of "continuous" strikes if the firm does not make an improved offer.

Brian Troake, who is Unite's regional officer, said Stagecoach owed the public "an abject apology for the disruption" the walkouts would cause.

“Further industrial action could be avoided, but that requires Stagecoach to return to the negotiating table with an offer our members can accept.”