Britain is bracing for transport turmoil as bus drivers across the country prepare to join London Underground staff in a wave of strikes threatening to bring towns and cities to a standstill. Unite, which represents thousands of bus workers, confirmed that around 7,500 drivers are either already striking or being balloted for action in disputes over pay and conditions.
Areas affected everwhere from Birkenhead, Brighton and Bristol to Cardiff, Chorley, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Preston, Stoke and Swindon. Walkouts are already under way, with 2,000 London United drivers in West London, 550 First Bus staff in Bristol, 450 Cardiff Bus workers and 70 Go South West drivers in Swindon out on strike. Further stoppages involving thousands more are planned in the weeks ahead.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said drivers had been pushed to breaking point.
She said: “Bus employers everywhere need to get the message loud and clear: driver pay simply does not reflect the stresses and strains of the job. Fatigue, a lack of toilets, abuse and even assaults are a daily occurrence. Unite will fight tooth and nail for bus workers until wages and conditions improve across the sector.”
The union argues that bus drivers endure some of the worst working conditions in transport, with increasing reports of abuse, exhausting shift patterns, and inadequate rest facilities. It says this leaves drivers at greater risk of physical and mental ill health than most other professions.
Strike action involving 600 bus drivers in Cardiff and Newcastle will go ahead unless new deals currently being balloted on are accepted by members.
Since January 2023, Unite has been involved in 167 bus disputes covering more than 42,000 workers, underlining the scale of anger across the industry.
The threat of bus strikes comes just as the capital prepares for unprecedented disruption on the Tube.
The RMT union has called a seven-day rolling strike on the London Underground, beginning September 5 and running until September 11.
Different groups of workers – from drivers and signallers to engineers and station staff – will walk out on separate days, crippling the network throughout the week.
Staff on the Docklands Light Railway (DLR)will also strike from September 7, compounding the disruption.
Speaking last week, RMT’s general secretary Eddie Dempsey said: “Our members are doing a fantastic job to keep our capital moving and work strenuous shift patterns to make sure Londoners get to their destinations around the clock.
“They are not after a king’s ransom, but fatigue and extreme shift rotations are serious issues impacting on our members’ health and wellbeing – all of which have not been adequately addressed for years by LU management.
“Coupled with the fact there are outstanding issues around staff travel arrangements, an atmosphere of distrust has been created, where our members feel like no one is listening to them.”
“RMT will continue to engage LU management with a view to seeking a revised offer in order to reach a negotiated settlement.”
