London bus strike solid as Unite warns of further action
Britain’s largest union, Unite warned of further strike action as bus workers in over 70 garages across the capital went on strike today (Friday 22 June) over a refusal by bus operators and Transport for London (TfL) to award an Olympic payment.
Strike action was solid across 17 London bus operators, as Unite members mounted picket lines across the capital bringing buses to a standstill and causing widespread disruption.
Unite warned that further strike action would be bigger as it vowed to appeal an ‘anti-democratic’ court injunction preventing bus workers in three companies taking part in today’s action.
Bus workers are furious at TfL’s and the bus operators’ continued refusal to bring them in line with every other London transport worker and reward them for the massive increase in workload during the Olympics.
The strike continues until 03:00 hours on Saturday 23 June.
Commenting, Unite London regional secretary, Peter Kavanagh, said: ”Support for today’s strike action is solid and shows that bus workers are willing to stand shoulder to shoulder to get the recognition they deserve in keeping London moving during the Olympics.
“Today’s strike comes as bus operators hide behind an anti-democratic court injunction and refuse to settle the dispute. We will fight to get the injunction over turned and further action will be bigger if TfL and the bus operators continue to bury their head in the sand.
“The strike should be a wake up call to the bus companies and TfL. They now need to negotiate meaningfully about rewarding bus workers for the massive increase in workload they will face over the Olympics.”
ENDS
For further information contact Ciaran Naidoo on 07768 931 315, or Alex Flynn, Unite head of media and campaigns on, 020 3371 2066 or 07967 665 869.
Notes to editors
Unite is Britain and Ireland’s largest trade union with 1.5 million members working across all sectors of the economy. The general secretary is Len McCluskey.
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