MORE than 1,000 bus drivers in the Bristol area are being balloted for industrial action over pay, Unite said today.

First West of England drivers have rejected a two-year pay deal of £1 extra per hour from now until March 2026, and a 30p hourly rise from April 2026, the union said.

Drivers will also lose out financially, said Unite, as Bristol’s main bus operator has not committed to giving back pay for the past four months of the annual wage increase from April this year.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This is yet another example of a profitable company prioritising greed and the needs of its shareholders over hardworking members who do a difficult job driving buses every day — Unite will not stand for this.

“Any disruption is entirely the fault of First West of England and our members will have Unite’s full support during this dispute.”

The company has been contacted for comment.