Bus drivers walk out in pay row

Bus drivers in Essex have walked out for a third 24-hour strike over pay.

Unite union workers at First depots in Essex have taken industrial action after rejecting a three-year pay deal following talks with the company.

First proposed a pay deal offering no increase for this year, a 2.5% increase in 2010, and a third year rise based on the retail price index at the time.

Some buses were operating as normal but First Essex said passengers should make alternative travel arrangements.

Alan Pilbeam, managing director of First in Essex said: "We are not asking our drivers to take pay cuts or even job cuts, simply that they earn the same amount of money this year as last year.

"I believe that , given the current economic climate, our pay offer is both fair and reasonable."

The union said the company was using the recession as "an excuse to freeze pay".