A UNION chief has warned more - and possibly longer - bus strikes could be staged in Bradford after talks to resolve a dispute with transport firm First collapsed.

Mohammad Taj, the branch secretary for Unite in Bradford, said fresh discussions between the two parties had broken down without agreement following last month's two-day walk-out by hundreds of drivers.

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

First denies the claim.

Mr Taj, who has worked as a bus driver at the First depot in Bowling Back Lane for 41 years, said the union's previous proposals for new vehicles and repairs made to existing buses in its Bradford fleet had now been rejected by the company.

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"There is a strong likelihood there will be more stoppages. It is 99.9 per cent certain," said Mr Taj, who is also the Trades Union Congress (TUC) senior vice-president.

"I could see something happening regarding further strike action within the next two or three weeks.

"Negotiations have broken down.

"We have not pursued any further strike action over the last few days out of respect for the 30th anniversary of the Bradford City fire.

"We should be recruiting the full complement of drivers. We are now 12 drivers down. We should have 380 drivers but we have 368.

"We are trying to pursue First to get them around the negotiating table. We think they have taken an anti-trade union stance.

"There could be further strike action as management has walked away from the negotiating table.

"Any future strikes may be two days or more."

In response, Paul Matthews, managing director for First in West Yorkshire, said: "I'm really disappointed Unite seems intent on bringing more disruption to our Bradford customers.

"I remain absolutely focused on resolving this dispute but won't put jobs at risk by reducing work in Halifax.

"We are investing in new buses in Bradford this year, we have already recruited new drivers this year and are currently recruiting even more with over 200 applications now being dealt with.

"I have also stressed the importance we place on safety and engineering quality that ensure our vehicles conform to the very highest standards for all our buses.

"This is in addition to my assurances that First is committed to the long-term future of our Bradford depot."

"I can assure customers that we'd never walk away from talks to resolve the dispute but the talks need to be meaningful and not to risk jobs in Halifax."

Last month's strike saw 380 Unite members walk out causing the cancellation of scores of services across the Bradford district, including more than 40 which take pupils to and from schools.