The strike will aftect Ulsterbus and Citybus services

All Citybus and Ulsterbus services across the province will be cancelled in a protest over pay and conditions.

Talks between union representatives and Translink management on Wednesday failed to resolve the issue although negotiations are continuing.

The unions say they are not happy with the current offer on the table because their members' wages are so low.

John Coffey, chairman of the Citibus branch of the Transport and General Workers union, said the increase on offer was not enough.

"Our wages are at least 17% below the average manual worker's wage at the moment so 5.7% would not bring us near what we need," he said.

I would appeal to all bus drivers to turn up for work this Friday as normal, in spite of the planned strike Philip O'Neill Translink

"We in actual fact would need a 4% increase above inflation for the next five years to bring us near the average manual worker's wage."

The strike is understood to be the first in a series of stoppages.

A statement issued by Translink apologised to its customers and said the company felt the drivers' action was "unnecessary".

The unions confirmed that Friday's action is the first in a series of stoppages on the 24 and 31 October and 7 and 10 November.

Translink said the unions had rejected a "specific request" that school services be exempt from the planned industrial action.

"We carry 65,000 children to and from school every day and it is disappointing that they are being let down at this critical time of the year," said Translink's Director of Operations Philip O'Neill.

"I would appeal to all bus drivers to turn up for work this Friday as normal, in spite of the planned strike.

"Those who turn up will provide school services as a priority.

"Details of the pay offer have been circulated to all staff, they can see it is a fair one and industrial action is unnecessary."