Out and about in London this weekend? Watch out, you might have to navigate strike action. Hundreds of bus drivers will walk out, impacting over a dozen routes in east, northeast and west London. Travel in and around prime Christmas shopping destination Stratford will be significantly affected.
The strikes consist of two separate disputes. One of the strikes is by drivers working for the Lea Interchange Bus Company, which is part of Stagecoach, and they’re all represented by the Unite union. The workers are walking out amid accusations of union busting and bullying at the company, which Stagecoach says it ‘utterly refutes’.
The other dispute features Unite workers at Westbourne Park bus garage in west London, which led to strikes in west London in November. Another 350 workers employed by London Transit are walking out after rejecting the company’s latest pay offer.
Worried that your local bus route will be hit by strikes? Here’s what you need to know about the industrial action, including the dates and full list of affected routes.
When are London bus drivers going on strike?
There are two weekends that are set to be hit by strikes at the Lea Interchange Bus Company:
- December 12 and 13
- January 8 and 9
The Westbourne Park garage strikes will take place on the following dates
- December 12, 15, 22, 23 and 24.
Which bus routes will be affected by strikes?
The following services are set to be impacted by walk-outs on Dec 12-13 and Jan 8-9
- 97
- 58
- 86
- 135
- 236
- 276
- 308
- 339
- 488
- D8
- W13
- W14
- 678
And these services will be hit by strikes on Dec 12, 15, 22, 23 and 24.
- 3
- 23
- 31
- N31
- 218
- 295
- 452
Why are bus drivers going on strike?
A total of 700 drivers will walk out.
Unite alleges that Lea Interchange Bus Company has been engaging in union busting, bullying and aggressive behaviour. Unite says that union reps are being targeted for undertaking trade union activities.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: ‘Unite will never stand idly by when an employer uses union busting and bullying tactics.
‘Management at the depot must change tack or face disruptive action. Unite members at the Lea Interchange Bus Company have the union’s full support.’
A spokesperson for Stagecoach responded to the call for strikes: ‘We utterly refute the allegations made by Unite of union busting and bullying. All employees are held to the same standards of behaviour, regardless of their role, and any allegations of misconduct are handled in line with our established policies and procedures.
‘It is disappointing the situation has reached this point, but we value our ongoing relationship with Unite and remain committed to resolving any concerns through the proper channels. Our priority continues to be delivering a safe and reliable bus service for our customers, and we will work to minimise any disruption.’
At Westbourne Park, drivers, engineers and stores workers have rejected the latest pay offer from London Transit.
Sharon Graham said: ‘This is appalling behaviour from a company that makes millions from London bus passengers. It shows an utter disregard for its workers and the hard work they do day in, day out.
‘Our members won’t stand for such behaviour and Unite will back them all the way in this dispute with a company that has a history of anti-worker behaviour.’
A spokesperson for First Bus London said the company was disappointed that the pay offer was rejected, adding: ‘We have further talks tabled with Unite and we hope through meaningful discussions we can reach a resolution and end the ongoing disruption, which causes inconvenience for passengers and loss of earnings for our employees.
‘We expect there to be little or no service on the affected routes, and we’re sorry for any disruption this may cause to people’s journeys.’
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