2,500 bus drivers in east, west and central London will be going on strike tomorrow (August 29th) to oppose a below-inflation pay offer.
The Unite union has confirmed that strike action which is expected to halt the services of First Capital East Buses and First Centrewest Buses in London will go ahead from 3.00am Friday 29th August. The action will affect bus routes across east, west and central London (see below).
2,500 bus workers will begin action this Friday 29th August for 24 hours followed by a 48 hour strike beginning Friday 12th September. The bus workers have resoundingly rejected a final pay offer of 4% on the basic rate of pay.
George Dodo-Williams, Unite regional industrial organiser, said: "Negotiations have broken down and strike action will go ahead. First group are making huge profits while their workers are struggling to keep up with the rising cost of living in one of the world's most expensive cities.
"Unless First Group makes a realistic pay offer, strike action will continue and cause significant disruption to bus services across east, west and central London."
Strike ballots are now taking place in most other London bus companies in disputes over pay. The union submitted a London wide claim to all bus operators in March of this year to challenge the current system whereby drivers (and other grades) performing identical jobs within the TfL regulated industry, receive hugely varying pay and conditions. In many cases the pay disparity for drivers working for different operators can be as much as £6000 a year.
First Capital East Buses are based at - Lea Interchange, Dagenham and Northumberland Park. First Centrewest Buses are based at - Alperton, Greenford, Hayes, Uxbridge, Westbourne Park, and Willesden. Commencing at 3am on the 29th of August 2008 and the action will continue till 3am on Saturday 30th August 2008.
East London
58, 67, 91, 150, 165, 179, 191, 193, 212, 215, 231, 236, 252, 259, 299, 308, 309, 323, 339, 341, 357, 365, 385, 389, 399, 476, 488, 498, D6, D7, D8, RV1, W6, W10, W11, W12
West London
9(heritage service only), 10, 18, 23, 28, 31, 79, 83, 92, 95, 105, 187, 207, 223, 224, 226, 228, 245, 282, 295, 328, 331, 414, 427, 487, 607, A10, E1, E3, E5, E7, E9, E10, PR2, U1, U2, U3, U4, U5, U10
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