Most Isle of Man bus drivers 'prepared to strike'
More than 80% of Isle of Man bus drivers have said they would strike in a row over hours and working conditions, union officials have said.
Unite regional officer Steve Salter said most members in Bus Vannin work up to 50 hours a week.
He said members accepted changes needed to be made, but felt management were not treating the situation sensitively.
Ministers said bus drivers had been offered compensation for them changing their working practices.
Mr Salter said industrial action was a last resort but urged management to hold constructive talks with them.
"I don't think anyone wants to feel pressurised into causing disruption to a very valuable service," he said.
"Time is now of the essence for the department to get back around the table and start holding meaningful discussions with us."
He said changes were not being made to the terms and conditions to those in management.
David Cretney, minister for Community, Culture and Leisure, said: "We have offered to our bus driving staff an amount of money as compensation for them changing certain working practices to make the organisation more efficient.
"If they were to be privatised they would be faced with a completely different situation and they need to consider that."