A WAR of words developed last night after a union announced a 48-hour strike by hundreds of bus drivers in Bradford.

Unite members, who work for First West Yorkshire, warned the action by 380 staff based at First Bradford depot in Bowling Back Lane could cause chaos for thousands of commuters during the stoppage next Monday and Tuesday.

The union says the primary reason for the action is the transfer of part of the 576 bus service from Bradford to Halifax which it says has cost eight jobs.

It accuses First of allowing its Bradford services to "wither on the vine" by not recruiting enough drivers and failing to invest in its bus fleet.

Unite has also claimed First is running the depot down with the intention of shutting it.

And it claims its members have complained over allegations of bullying and harassment on a daily basis.

But First dismissed all of the union's claims and condemned the decision to strike.

It said it was willing to have further talks with the union to avoid the "massive disruption".

Emma Taylor, First's business manager in Bradford, said: "The strike action is completely unjustified when I have given my reassurance to the trade union that there are no jobs at risk and the depot is not closing."

However, Harriet Eisner, Unite regional officer, said: "This blinkered management has let services wither on the vine over the last four years – for example, the number of drivers employed has shrunk from 470 to 380 in that time.

"While the strike on April will be inconvenient for thousands of bus users, the bigger picture that Unite is fighting for is the maintenance of good and reliable services with top quality buses, properly serviced. We also want our members treated with dignity and respect.

"There is a big shortage of drivers with no recruitment of new drivers and this is coupled with the movement of jobs without consultation from Bradford to other towns.

"This situation is compounded by inadequate engineering of the buses and the recycling of old buses. Many buses are unreliable – with all the health and safety considerations that this state of affairs raises.

"The management needs to wake up and take the union’s legitimate concerns seriously.

"The company has been dragging its feet in talks with Unite and we have been left with no option, but to call this strike, so the citizens of Bradford get the service they deserve and pay for."

The strike action is due to start at 1.30am on Monday and will run until 1.29am on Wednesday, April 29.

Ms Taylor said: "I'm very disappointed that Unite intend to strike next week and bring such massive and unnecessary disruption to bus users across the Bradford district.

"In fact our plans in Bradford are for investment and development particularly in line with the expanding retail offer in the next few months.

"The dispute is centred around the re-allocation of some staffing duties on the 576 Halifax - Bradford route. This work was moved in January from Bradford to Halifax to balance staff duties and protect jobs in both areas following tender losses at Halifax.

"There are a number of other allegations we strongly dispute and we'll be seeking further information on these accusations from the trade union at the earliest opportunity.

"Right now my priority will be to continue talking with trade union representatives and I call on the trade union to call off this unjustified action and recommence talks as soon as possible."

A West Yorkshire Combined Authority spokesman said: “We hope that this issue can be resolved without the need for any industrial action.”

Councillor Val Slater, Bradford Council's executive member for transport, warned any strike would lead to further traffic congestion on the district's road.