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Right as kids start to go back to school, a whopping 71 bus routes across west and southwest London could face significant disruption. That’s because nearly 2,000 bus drivers, engineers and controllers in the area are planning to go on strike.
Bus workers belonging to Unite union have voted to take industrial action over a pay dispute with their employers, London United and London Transit. The two companies are both owned by First Bus, which union members say are trying deny workers hundreds of pounds in back pay.
If you live or work around the likes of Shepherds Bush, Notting Hill, Kingston or Wandsworth, here’s everything you should know about the bus strike, including all the specific bus routes set to be affected.
When are London bus workers going on strike?
The industrial action is planned for Friday, August 29 and Monday, September 1. The union has said that more dates could be announced if the dispute isn’t resolved.
Which bus routes will be affected by strikes?
London United and London Transit run eight depots, all in west and southwest London. They’re located in Fulwell, Hounslow, Hounslow Heath, Park Royal, Shepherds Bush, Stamford Brook, Tolworth and Westbourne Park.
That means that the routes likely to be impacted by the strikes are: 13, 18, 23, 31, 33, 49, 65, 70, 71, 72, 85, 94, 105, 110, 116, 117, 148, 203, 216, 218, 220, 224, 235, 272, 281, 283, 290, 293, 295, 371, 406, 411, 418, 419, 423, 440, 452, 467, 613, 662, 665, 681, 696, 698, C1, E3, H22, H37, H98, K1, K2, K3, K4, K5, KU1, KU2, KU3, N13, N18, N23, N31, N33, N65, N72, N85, N94, N105, N148, N220, N281, N295.
Why are bus workers going on strike?
The Unite union says that workers are striking in response to London Transit and London United trying to alter when pay rises would take effect. That could mean that drivers lose out on hundreds of pounds of back pay. London United is also accused of attempting to change the pay anniversary of some workers and refusing to reinstate shift work premiums for others.
Sharon Graham, Unite’s general secretary, said: ‘This is underhand and disgraceful behaviour from a company making millions from London bus passengers. To try and refuse to pay money owed since December shows an utter disregard for its workers and the hard work they do day in, day out.’
Callum Rochford, the union’s regional officer, added: ‘Workers can see through these tactics and won't stand for them. London United and London Transit need to come back to the table, pay what's right and end this dispute now before they make going back to school even less popular.’
A spokesperson for First Bus London said: ‘We’re disappointed that Unite has chosen to ballot some employees for industrial action rather than engage in constructive negotiations. Our above inflation pay offer reflects the value we put on colleagues and demonstrates our commitment to protecting staff from the rising cost of living - even in the challenging financial environment we operate in.
‘We remain open to having constructive discussions at any time and urge Unite to come to the table so we can reach a fair resolution for our colleagues and the Londoners we serve.’
More travel disruption: read about the London Gatwick strikes this August and September here.
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