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Press Release

London bus workers demand recognition for the Olympics

16 December 2011

Unite, Britain's biggest union, has written to all London bus operators demanding that they enter into genuine negotiations for an Olympic games award for London's 28,000 bus workers.

The award would be in line with what other London transport workers will reportedly be getting for working during the games.

With an extra 800,000 passengers expected to travel on buses during the Olympics, significant extra revenue will be generated through fares for Transport for London (TfL), and bus workers will be working much harder, under more pressure. It's only right that bus workers' contribution to the games is recognised.

Unite has written to the London mayor's office on more than one occasion requesting a meeting to discuss the issue. However, after waiting for three months for a response Boris Johnson replied saying he and TfL could not get involved.

Unite's regional secretary for London, Peter Kavanagh, said: "London bus workers will be making a significant contribution to getting visitors around London during the Olympic games, they deserve recognition.

"An extra 800,000 customers means bigger profits, it's only right that bus workers are rewarded for their extra contribution.

"The mayor's office has washed its hands of its responsibility – it is disgraceful. If this situation continues we can't rule out industrial action.

"The union is asking for an extra £500 which has already been agreed for some rail workers.

"For too long TfL, the mayor and bus operators have treated London bus workers as second class citizens, while saying they are the best in the world. Our members are saying enough is enough. If you say they're the best treat them like they are."



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