BUS workers in Warrington have voted in favour of strike action following an ongoing pay dispute - but no timetable has yet been set for a walkout.

However, it is rumoured strike action could take place in September, just as schools return, in a bid to maximise disruption.

The vote was called last week after pay talks between the Transport and General Workers Union and Warrington Borough Transport stalled.

And now workers have voted in favour of industrial action after rejecting a pay offer of 4.9 per cent from April 2003 to April 2004 followed by a four per cent increase from April 2004 to 2005.

But Neil Clarke, regional industrial organiser for the TGWU, said no timetable had been discussed for a walkout and added he was still hopeful his union would be able to reach an agreement with WBT without the need for a strike.

He explained that drivers at WBT had their pay affected by the bus wars in the late 1980s which left them with pay freezes in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

"Drivers in nearby towns earn higher wages than those in Warrington, even taking into account the proposed rises," he said.

One employee told the Midweek that drivers only wanted a fair rate of pay for what could often be a difficult and dangerous job.

Managing director of WBT Nigel Featham declined to comment.