Bus drivers look set to push ahead with strike action next week.

But it has been claimed that only a minority of drivers will refuse to work and that the action will only be a "token gesture".

Some drivers working for Brighton and Hove Bus Company are furious their demands for a 7.3% average pay rise have been ruled out and are threatening to strike on Monday.

The firm has offered a 6% average rise with a £300 lump sum, with managing director Roger French claiming any further rise would force the firm to put up bus fares.

But one insider told The Argus on Monday he believes only a small minority of drivers will strike on Monday.

He said: "The strike is still on for Monday but nearly all the drivers I've spoken to have said they're planning to work.

"To my mind it will only be a token gesture. The management aren't going to budge on their final offer and the numbers of drivers striking won't make much impact."

The row has broken out between the company and drivers who are members of the Unite union.

Members of the GMB union have accepted the company's offer and have no plans to strike.

In May bus drivers rejected a pay increase from the company ranging between 4% and 8% depending on drivers' length of service.

The new offer would have put all drivers who had worked for the company for more than a year on the same wage from August.

But Unite said that because the company had not pledged extra cash, those who had worked the longest would receive a lower pay rise.

Under the scheme proposed by Mr French, veteran drivers would receive a 2.4% increase along with a £300 lump sum, while Unite is calling for a 4% rise and wants the salary to be backdated to February.

A Unite representative said talks between its members were continuing.

Mr French said any strike would be "futile" and said only a minority of drivers would walk out.

He said: "There is absolutely no logic to such action. It only has negative consequences.

"For the sake of keeping people moving in the city, I would urge every bus driver to ignore calls to strike.

"There is no more money available.

I am very sorry for the inconvenience strike action may cause to our passengers. We will be providing a comprehensive service as many drivers are telling us they will work normally."

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