Unite the Union has just announced a series of bus strikes that’ll be hitting the capital city over the next couple of months. The first of 26 days worth of walk-outs will be taking place this week – and here’s everything that you need to know.
Why are these bus strikes taking place?
Bus drivers that are members of Unite and employed by Arriva North London are striking due to a dispute regarding hot weather working conditions. As we’re all well aware: it’s been pretty darn hot in London lately, and the union is calling for Arriva to improve the conditions in which their drivers are expected to work in.
The dispute is based around the fact that most buses operated by Arriva don’t have adequate effective air conditioning. Instead, the vehicles are fitted with air cooling systems that only blow in air from the outside. These systems have only managed to reduce temperatures by a couple of degrees, leaving drivers exposed to soaring temperatures – with some drivers comparing their cabs to ‘greenhouses’.
When are the bus strikes taking place?
Unite has confirmed 26 strike dates over the coming months. The affected dates are as follows:
- Friday, August 14 – Saturday, August 15
- Tuesday, August 18 – Friday, August 21
- Tuesday August 25 – Friday, August 28
- Friday, September 4 – Saturday, September 5
- Monday, September 7 – Tuesday, September 8
- Friday, September 18 – Saturday, September 19
- Monday, September 21 – Tuesday, September 22
- Friday, October 2 – Saturday, October 3
- Monday, October 5 – Tuesday, October 6
- Friday, October 16 – Saturday, October 17
- Monday, October 19 – Tuesday, October 20
What routes will be affected?
Unite has confirmed that drivers from eight garages across London are involved in the dispute. The garages in question are based in Barking, Edmonton, Enfield, Grays, Palmers Green, Stamford Hill, Tottenham, and Wood Green.
A whopping 42 London bus routes will face major disruption, offering little to no service on the strike days. The affected routes are as follows:
- 19
- 29
- 34
- 41
- 66
- 67
- 76
- 102
- 121
- 141
- 149
- 150
- 158
- 175
- 191
- 192
- 217
- 221
- 243
- 248
- 254
- 259
- 279
- 307
- 313
- 329
- 341
- 349
- 370
- 375
- 377
- 616
- 675
- SL1
- SL2
- W3
- W4
- W6
- N19
- N29
- N41
- N279
Unite general secretary, Sharon Graham, said: “Time and time again drivers have complained to Arriva North London about working in dangerous conditions, but the company has failed to act, which is completely unacceptable.”
Wasim Mohammed, managing director at Arriva London, said: “We take the welfare of our drivers seriously, and understand the impact of this extreme weather on them.
“We are working closely with Transport for London to support both our colleagues and customers during these hot spells. We’ve introduced short-term measures to protect drivers, and we’re investing in longer-term fixes, including cab air conditioning upgrades and our ongoing investment in new fleet.”
A Transport for London spokesperson said: “Strike action is expected to impact local bus routes in north and some central London areas, however, the majority of London’s bus network will still operate as planned on these days.
“Some bus routes may be busier than normal. We encourage customers who are affected to plan ahead, allow extra time for their journeys and check before they travel using our website of the TfL Go app. We encourage both parties to find a solution to this dispute and we’re sorry for any disruption to people’s journeys.”
