Another Bus Strike Taking Place From This Wednesday

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Drivers with London United set to proceed with planned industrial action

London bus drivers from Harrow Garage on strike

Unite members who drive buses for London United are set to strike again this Wednesday (31 March).

The planned strike action will affect services until 6am on Friday 2 April.

London United operates services mainly in areas such as White City, Shepherd’s Bush, Ealing, Acton, Chiswick, Putney and Wimbledon.

Originally three days of strikes were called for consecutive weeks but last week’s (on 24 March) was suspended due to talks continuing with management.

There were three separate disputes involving companies owned by French transport company, RATP but the disputes at London Sovereign and Quality Line have been resolved.

London United drivers fear proposed changes will see £2,000 on average cut from their salaries and they rejected a new offer from the company in a ballot last Friday.

The proposed changes which led to the strikes would have required drivers to “log in” when they sit behind the wheel of a bus, and log out at the end of their shift.

This would mean drivers wouldn’t be paid during their breaks or whilst waiting for their bus to become available before switching with another driver.

A statement from Unite said, “Following four days of negotiations last week, RATP made an offer for the outstanding pay increases for 2019 and 2020 and also sought to introduce new contract clauses.

“The pay offer fell well below the expectations of members and the proposed changes to conditions had not been previously discussed, and as such Unite was unable to propose the offer to members at this stage.”

RATP said its offer “includes the best possible pay rise above inflation and no changes to terms and conditions”, and that its London bus operators have made losses for the last two years.

London United drivers will hold another ballot on 6 April to decide whether to hold further strikes.

Unite regional officer Michelle Braveboy said, “The forthcoming strikes will inevitably cause severe disruption to thousands of bus passengers.

“Unite members are taking this action as a last resort, as they will not allow RATP to use the cover of the Covid pandemic to downgrade their pay and conditions.”

Routes Affect By The Strike

 

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March 31, 2021