TRADE union members at the country’s biggest municipal bus company, Lothian Buses, may be set to take strike action that could cripple Edinburgh’s public transport.

Councillors voted yesterday to continue with plans that could see the council’s arms-length company Transport for Edinburgh (TfE), the parent company of Lothian Buses and Edinburgh Trams, have a greater say in the day-to-day running of Lothian Buses.

A source among the drivers told The National there was “real anger” on the part of the workforce at the original proposal to take funds from Lothian Buses and give them to the Edinburgh Trams, and that was what was driving the union to look at “possible strike action” against the new plans for TfE to have executive control.

The report to the council said that “further discussions will be required with Edinburgh Trams and Lothian Buses, with any associated changes to the current governance arrangements being made as required and reported back to Committee for approval.”

Unite the union felt this was the start of Lothian Buses losing its independence – it currently reports directly to the council.

Representing Unite union workers at Lothian Buses, Duncan McBride told the Committee: “We understand the need for alignment with TfE for strategy moving forward, however there is a clear delineation between a strategy and operational management and delivery.”

Later he spoke of “the fear, the doubt, the uncertainty that exists amongst Lothian Buses employees, given that actually we don’t have an executive board at the minute.”

Transport Committee convener Councillor Lesley Hinds said the council was committed to keeping Lothian Buses in public ownership.

She said: "None of us have any desire to change that - I want to give that reassurance. We want to have an integrated transport system and we need to have a discussion about the operational plan."

Unite regional officer Tony Trench said later: “We are extremely disappointed with this decision and are increasingly concerned about the lack of transparency over this process.

“Lothian Buses is the jewel in the crown of Scottish transport – a publicly-owned company that is stable, profitable and provides a good service to the people of Lothian.

“Edinburgh City Council should be celebrating and supporting its bus service – not putting it in the hands of an arms-length company.

“Our members will carry on our campaign against these changes.”