BUS bosses are to seek clear the air talks with union chiefs in York - but will not offer a new deal to avert a damaging transport strike.

Management at First will look to speak with representatives of the Transport & General Workers' Union before members vote in a ballot, which could see drivers walk out.

Their aim is to renew dialogue just days after union bosses revealed they would be calling in the Electoral Reform Society to carry out a strike ballot.

The Evening Press reported last week how pay talks had collapsed for the final time after drivers overwhelmingly rejected yet another management wage offer.

Drivers are believed to want a flat rate of £8 an hour - or a 16.25 per cent rise on some current rates.

First has branded those demands as "totally unrealistic under the current circumstances". The union has asked for the increase to counter the rise in council tax and house prices in the city.

Mr Edwards stressed there was still no new money available to fund the drivers' demands. But he said the company felt it was important to keep a chain of dialogue going as the countdown towards strike action continued.

Mr Edwards said: "We are still anxious to explore all avenues to avert an industrial dispute. There is still no new money available.

"But it is important that we talk before any ballot or strike action and, although there is nothing arranged, we are looking to speak with the union.

"We have not heard any new information in recent days and we hope a meeting will give all parties the chance to review their various options."

Any strike would see all services except Park&Ride and contracted school buses lost. It is believed a large scale "all out" action by drivers could cause transport chaos in the city.

Updated: 08:49 Tuesday, July 15, 2003