STRIKING bus drivers braved heavy downpours as they walked out for the second time in four days.

Buses of Somerset staff took the action today (Monday, November 21) and last Friday in a dispute over pay.

RMT union regional organiser Barry West apologised for any inconvenience caused to the travelling public.

He added: "The company have failed to meet the negotiating representatives since the last strike day.

"Despite the days of action there seems no willingness to actually do anything to find a resolution or reach a compromise we could all live with.

"The claims that the company are doing all they can to resolve the dispute is disingenuous and less than genuine.

"The truth is as follows - we as a trade Union have been requesting meetings to resolve. This has not happened."

Buses of Somerset managing director Simon Goff has claimed staff have been offered a £17.6 per cent increase over the next two years, but blames the RMT for refusing to put the offer to its members.

He said: "We are not proposing pay cuts or pay freezes or any changes to roles."

Despite RMT claims to the contrary, Mr Goff said: "The door remains very much open for the RMT to meet with us to find a settlement.

"It is very clear that the vast majority of our staff want to accept this deal and move on but this will be challenging if the RMT continue to refuse to ballot their members on this great offer.”