Two-thirds of London’s bus passengers think the capital’s bus drivers should be paid the same according to an independent survey released ahead of tomorrow’s strike.
The planned strike, the result of a dispute between Britain and Ireland’s largest trade union Unite and the bus companies over driver pay and conditions, is planned to take place between 00:01 and 23:59 on Tuesday January 13.
Bus services during the day on Wednesday (January 14) should operate as normal.
In a survey of 1,645 passengers by Mass1 for Unite, 66 per cent responded ‘yes’ when asked if all bus drivers should be paid the same.
Unite claims a refusal by the operators to address pay inequality has led to pay gaps of over £3 an hour for new starters, varying from £9.30 to £12.34 an hour depending on the company.
Wayne King, London regional officer for Unite, said: “London’s bus operators have raked in millions in profits while driving down pay and refusing to tackle pay inequality on the capital’s buses.
“As bus company directors enjoy lottery style salaries, bus drivers doing the same job on the same route are being pitted against one another on different rates of pay.
“Strike action is the last resort.”
Unite says there are more than 80 different pay rates covering London’s bus drivers, doing the same job, even driving the same route.
Leader of Ealing’s Lib Dems, Councillor Gary Malcolm, said: “Liberal Democrats know that every bus route in my part of Acton and Chiswick will not be running in the strike. So many residents will find it very difficult to get to work quickly as the tubes and trains will be even more overcrowded.
“Usually I would cycle but cannot as I have an injured hand. People rely on the buses. I hope the strike is cancelled so everyone can get around the table to discuss things.”
He said anyone who normally uses the E3, 94, 207, 266, 272, 427, 440 or 607 bus routes will be affected.
Transport for London (TfL) advised bus passengers to check the TfL website for the latest information about planned strike action by members of Unite who work for London’s bus companies.
Tfl said less than 16 per cent of bus drivers in London voted in favour of industrial action and is calling for Unite and the bus companies to swiftly resolve the dispute so passengers are not disrupted.
Leon Daniels, TfL’s Managing Director of Surface Transport, said: “It is extremely disappointing Unite has decided to threaten unnecessary disruption, especially given the low turnout for the ballot and low numbers voting for the strike. Bus drivers’ pay and conditions are a matter for the bus companies and Unite to discuss, as it has been for 20 years, and we would urge them to seek a swift and fair resolution for the sake of our passengers.”
