TRAVEL: Bus staff strike over pay gap

6:06pm Monday 6th October 2008

Comments (2)   Have your say »

BUSES on seven routes in Waltham Forest will not run during two days of industrial action over pay.

Unite union members from bus garages across London, including the Lea Interchange, voted to strike on Friday (October 10) and Wednesday, October 22.

Unite is calling all drivers to be paid £30,000 a year for a 38-hour week.

Currently the 18 London bus companies all operate with different pay structures, with pay inequalities of up to £6,000 a year.

Peter Kavanagh, Unite senior regional organiser, said: "There is a startling disparity between bus drivers pay in the capital, with rosters in some companies seeing many drivers' complete nearly 60 hours per week.

"Not only is this unsafe, it is unfair to have bus workers across London doing the same job for less money or having to put in much longer hours.

"Our members will continue to strike and we will continue to ballot further bus companies until Boris Johnson listens up and engages in serious discussions for equal pay for all London bus workers."

A Transport for London spokeswoman said: "Bus drivers and supervisors are employed by private bus companies and as such pay and conditions are set by them.

"We are disappointed that First, Metrobus and Metroline have so far failed to resolve this dispute with Unite through talks, as strikes inconvenience London's bus passengers.

"We would advise passengers to check their route and listen to media travel updates before they travel and, where necessary, to use an alternative means of transport."

The following routes in Waltham Forest will not run: 179, 212, 215, 357, 385, W11 and W12.