DOZENS of city bus drivers took to the streets yesterday as part of strike action over pay.

Bluestar bus drivers waved banners and displayed signs as they demonstrated their frustration over disputes about pay and conditions.

But Bluestar has said that only "less than a third" of drives took strike action and that "services are running at a higher frequency than expected, with many running as normal".

The strike comes after 86 out of 99 RMT members voted for strike action.

A spokesperson from the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) said that the drivers have “overwhelmingly” voted for strike action over their current pay and conditions.

They added: “As far as I am concerned my members voted overwhelmingly and I am confident this will show in numbers.”

Bluestar managing direction Andrew Wickham said: “We ask the RMT to come back to the table, so we can come to a satisfactory resolution for all - and avoid any disruption for Southampton bus passengers."

The strike action is to be followed by industrial action on July 1 for one week and again on July 22.

Members of RMT have been asked to not work any overtime over their contacted hours.

In a statement, it said: “It has been considered by the NEC which has taken the following decision.

“That we note the correspondence on file from our lead officer that the company have made a revised proposal.

“The lead officer has consulted the membership and they have rejected this offer.

“We therefore instruct the general secretary to inform the company that we reject the offer.

“Further more, we instruct the members not to work overtime over the contacted 40 hours for one week commencing on July 1 to July 7 2019.

“And a second action in the same manor for one week commencing on July 22 to July 28 2019.

“In addition to this, members are requested not to do any rest day working in these periods.”