BUS drivers from Wilts and Dorset voted today to take strike action over changes to their shift times and the imposition of unpaid meal breaks.

The RMT union ballot, which began on January 23, saw 277 votes cast, with 190 in favour of strike action. Also, 228 workers voted in favour of taking industrial action short of a strike.

According to the union, the company, which operates in Dorset, Wiltshire, Hampshire and Somerset and is part of the national Go Ahead group, has threatened to cut some of its bus routes if workers don’t accept the changes.

Wilts and Dorset has not been informed of the date of any potential strike.

In a statement to customers they said: “As your bus operator we want to reassure you that discussions are ongoing with the trade union to find a sensible resolution so that you are not affected in anyway.

“Even if there were to be a strike called, we can assure customers we will be running services and any disruption would be kept to a minimum.”