A representative of the bus drivers' union, Unite, is urging Chief Minister Allan Bell to get more involved in its negotiations with government.
The two sides have so far failed to agree on changes to terms and conditions for the drivers, leading to last week's three-day strike.
Mr Bell has said any extra costs incurred by the Department of Community, Culture and Leisure to cover the walkout, or any future ones, will have to be found out of existing budgets.
Unite's Eric Holmes says he can't see where those costs would come from:
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