A new starter minimum wage for London bus drivers has been introduced by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan
Previously, the pay of bus drivers has been set in isolation by the private bus companies which operate routes on Transport for London’s (TfL) behalf, which has led to variations in pay. Transport for London (TfL) has been working with the bus companies and trade union representatives to introduce a fairer system, which includes a new starter minimum wage of £23,000 for drivers.
The pay rate represents the average starting salary of a bus driver today. However, there are variations locally and some drivers are paid less than this. The new professional driver wage aims to prevent a ‘race to the bottom’ where competition for bus routes leads to pay for new starters reducing over time. Where employers currently pay less, the Mayor is encouraging them to work with trade union representatives to address any pay differences before April 1, 2017.
In addition to new guarantees around drivers’ wages, the news proposals include:
- A ‘License for London’ will be introduced no later than April, allowing drivers to move between companies, taking with them their qualifications and driving record, without having to go on a lower new starter rate;
- The Mayor also expects TFL, Unite representatives, and the operators to continue working towards introducing a London-wide pay structure for minimum levels of pay based on three and plus five years’ experience. Because of the wide range of pay levels and arrangements across London, this is expected to take longer to implement;
- TfL said it will work with Unite representatives and operators to better support the progression of London’s bus drivers through to management and other industry positions, including addressing a historic under-representation of minority groups; and
- Continued work to address a range of other issues such as inadequate provision of toilet facilities and regular late finishes to shifts.
Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “London’s hard-working bus drivers keep our city moving at all times of day and night. Yet while millions of Londoners rely upon our buses every day, for too long drivers haven’t been getting a fair deal.
“Our new proposals will mean that, whichever private bus company you work for, drivers will be entitled to a minimum level of pay. It wasn’t right that a driver with the same level of knowledge, skill and experience could get paid less simply for working on a different route or moving company.”
Gareth Powell, Transport for London’s Director of Strategy and Contracted Services, said: “The bus network plays an absolutely vital role in London life, and as we’re improving it for customers – with cheaper journeys, cleaner buses and less congested routes – we also want to improve the lives of London’s bus drivers.
“This package of measures will ensure a decent wage and better prospects for development and progression for all bus drivers across London’s bus industry.”
Unite General Secretary, Len McCluskey, commented: “This is great news for the workers and passengers of London.
“The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has honoured his commitment to introduce fair pay on London’s buses and halt the race to the bottom, in stark contrast to his predecessor who unfortunately refused to see the merits of working positively with the trade unions.
“It is also a huge testament to the tireless campaigning by Unite members. In garages right across the capital they were resolved and determined to win the fairness and stability they deserve. Their collective determination has won the day and delivered results.”
