Press Release

First London Bus workers' strike will go ahead

28 August, 2008

Unite, Britain's biggest union, can confirm that strike action which is expected to halt the services of First Capital East Buses and First Centrewest Buses in London will go ahead from 3.00am Friday 29th August. The action will affect bus routes across east, west and central London (see notes to editors).

2,500 bus workers will begin action this Friday 29th August for 24 hours followed by a 48 hour strike beginning Friday 12th September. The bus workers have resoundingly rejected a final pay offer of 4% on the basic rate of pay.

George Dodo-Williams, Unite regional industrial organiser, said: "Negotiations have broken down and strike action will go ahead. First group are making huge profits while their workers are struggling to keep up with the rising cost of living in one of the world's most expensive cities.

"Unless First Group makes a realistic pay offer, strike action will continue and cause significant disruption to bus services across east, west and central London."

Strike ballots are now taking place in most other London bus companies in disputes over pay. The union submitted a London wide claim to all bus operators in March of this year to challenge the current system whereby drivers (and other grades) performing identical jobs within the TfL regulated industry, receive hugely varying pay and conditions. In many cases the pay disparity for drivers working for different operators can be as much as £6000 a year.

George Dodo-Williams, Unite regional industrial organiser, continued: "London bus workers have consistently delivered huge increases in efficiency and performance since the return of local government to London. Even Mayor Boris Johnson acknowledges that London has the world’s finest bus drivers. Yet these workers are being forced to take action to stake their claim for a share of the profits generated by their hard work. They are determined to achieve a fair settlement."