BUS drivers for Stagecoach Ribble have given notice of two strikes next week.
A proposed 24-stoppage on Wednesday was cancelled in favour of a walkout on July 21 and July 24 instead.
The two days coincide with industrial action by First Manchester drivers, crippling the public transport system again.
Roy Husband, Bolton spokesman for the Transport and General Workers Union, said the strikes -- the drivers 10th and 11th -- were forced on them.
He said: "The management have just point blank refused to discuss anything with us despite our best efforts to renegotiate.
"We want to end this whole thing, but until we talk we will just continue to take action."
The strikes would be called off if the management agree to a meeting, he added.
The union rejected the bus company's pay deal of £5.50 an hour on January 1, 2001, with a review date of May 1, 2002.
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