Bus travel in West London could grind to a halt this summer as nearly 2,000 workers head to vote amid a ‘disgraceful’ pay dispute. Bus drivers, engineers and controllers at London United and London Transit may strike over the August bank holiday, causing chaos during Notting Hill Carnival.
Member of union Unite claim they are being cheated out of hundreds of pounds of back pay after parent company First Bus bought defunct bus company RATP Dev Transit London earlier this year. Staff are reportedly ‘furious’ not all elements of a new pay offer will reflect their salary reviews completed in December.
London United has also been accused of attempting to change the pay anniversary of some workers and refusing to reinstate shift work premiums for others.
Sharon Graham, the union’s general secretary, said: “This is underhand and disgraceful behaviour from a company making millions off London bus passengers. To try and refuse to pay money owed since December shows an utter lack of respect 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.”
The two subsidiaries have eight depots across West and South West London – Fulwell, Hounslow, Hounslow Heath, Park Royal, Shepherd’s Bush, Stamford Brook, Tolworth and Westbourne Park. Together, they operate approximately 90 routes, including ones running into and out of Central London. Voting began yesterday (July 17) and will close in three weeks time on Monday, August 11.
Unite regional officer Callum Rochford added: “Our members do an incredibly difficult job – whether it’s driving buses in rush hour in London, keeping buses running or managing routes and timetables. Yet their employer is trying to deny hundreds of pounds of back pay and mess around with their anniversary dates in a cheap attempt to weaken union negotiations.
“Workers can see through these tactics and won’t stand for them. London United and London Transit need to come back to the table, pay what’s right and end this dispute now before they ruin Carnival.”
First Bus London said it is ‘disappointed’ by the proposed industrial action, stating it would prefer Unite to engage in negotiations.
A spokesperson said: “Our above inflation pay offer reflects the value we put on colleagues and demonstrates our commitment to protecting staff from the rising cost of living – even in the challenging financial environment we operate in. We remain open to having constructive discussions at any time and urge Unite to come to the table so we can reach a fair resolution for our colleagues and the Londoners we serve.”
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