Bus drivers voted to go on strike from the first day of the Fringe  rejecting a last-minute offer from Lothian bosses.

Drivers had threatened strike action over claims of a “hostile” and “bullying” management at Lothian Buses.


Unite the union gave notice on Friday that Lothian bus drivers will walk out from 3.00am on Friday 2 August 2019 which is the first official day of the Fringe. The bus company management tried to halt the action offering a 2.7 per cent pay increase, but Unite confirmed that drivers on Friday voted to reject the offer.

Other measures rejected by the drivers included bringing in external experts to look at the management culture, which could lead to managers being sent on one-day courses, and a commitment that management would abide by company policies.

An official ballot of Unite members last month produced 91 per cent support from those who voted for a strike over what the union called a “toxic culture” of bullying and harassment.

The company issued this statement

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