5000 bus workers with Metroline and First Group walked out at 3 a.m. this morning in a row over equal pay causing massive disruption across the capital.
The drivers will be out on a 24 hour strike to protest at the huge pay disparity between the 18 London bus companies.
Several sources report solid support for the action, with very few drivers crossing picket lines, many routes completely cancelled and others running only minimal services.
Unite the union submitted a London wide claim to all bus operators in March of this year to challenge the current system where drivers (and other grades) performing identical jobs within the TfL regulated industry, receive hugely varying pay and conditions.
1000 workers at Metrobus were due to join the strike, but the employers were granted an injunction against the stoppage at the last minute.
Unite is calling for a single rate of pay for drivers of £30,000 a year, based on a 38 hour week. Currently the eighteen London bus companies all operate with different pay structures, with pay inequalities of up to £7,000 a year.
Arriva South and Arriva North, and East London Bus Group and East Thames Buses (owned by Boris Johnson's TfL) were balloted last week in time for further strike action planned for Wednesday 22nd October.
Comments
Boris Johnsons money is in
Boris Johnsons money is in Iceland melting.Privatisation wreaks of hierarchy and competition to the benefit of the shareholder. Services dont get better they just get more expensive. Until one monopoly dictates the terms to everyone else. or uses their monopoly to undercut others trying to make an honest living