Unite strike over bus drivers’ pay set to hit Newham
Twenty-three services across London are expected to be disrupted by action over pay and conditions. - Credit: none
Newham commuters face disruption this Monday due to a bus drivers’ strike.
Unite members at Tower Transit are striking over pay and conditions after about 22 per cent of members voted to strike.
The action is expected to last for the whole of January 5.
Alex Flynn, Head of Media and Campaigns at Unite, said: “There has been a concerted attempt by management to drive pay and conditions down.
“Strike action, for our members, is always a last resort.
“It’s not action they’ve taken lightly.”
Transport for London (TfL) is advising commuters to consider using trains, cycling or even walking, as some services may not run at all.
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TfL has called for Unite and Tower Transit to resolve the dispute as swiftly as possible for the sake of passengers.
Mike Weston, Tfl’s director of buses said: “Bus drivers’ pay and conditions are a matter for Tower Transit and Unite to discuss.
“I’d like to apologise to our customers in advance for any diruption they may face.”
Twenty-three routes across London are likely to be affected by the strike.
Newham buses expecting disruption are the 25 (24-hour service), 58, 308, 425, N550 and N551.
The strike follows action taken by drivers at Tower Transit’s Lea Interchange bus garage on December 29, as a result of which 40 per cent of services failed to operate normally.
TfL says travel alerts will be provided on Twitter by @TfLOfficial and @TfLBusAlerts using #BusStrike.
Additional staff will be on-hand to provide advice to commuters on the day and a good service is expected across the Tube network and a good service is expected on the Docklands Light Railway.
Commuters can find out more at tfl.gov.uk/buses
