Unite has urged London’s 18 bus operators to enter into collective talks to avoid the disruption of further strike action as it announced three 24 hour London-wide bus strikes on January 28.
The latest stoppages running from 0001 to 2359hrs on February 5, February 13 and February 16 follow a dispute over pay disparities.
Unite Regional Officer, Wayne King, said: “We firmly believe that there is a simple solution to be had but sadly the refusal by the operators to engage in collective talks is risking the inevitable disruption that strike action will bring to passengers.”
In response to the announcement, Mike Weston, TfL’s Director of Buses, said: “I am very sorry that the leadership of Unite are threatening to further disrupt the journeys of bus passengers, especially given that only 16% of the bus drivers voted for strike action.
“As the bus companies who employ the drivers have said, it makes no sense to pay all drivers precisely the same amount. As in all professions, bus drivers have different levels of experience and it is only right that this can be reflected in pay.
“A ‘levelling up’ of pay to the highest rates would cost around £100m a year and would result in a cut to bus services, an increase in fares, or both.
“London has one of the best and most extensive bus networks anywhere in the world. It would be much better if the leadership of Unite actually worked with the bus companies to ensure that it remains that way rather than disrupting bus passengers.”
