Bus strikes set to cause 'huge disruption' across North London

Unite members claim Arriva failed to act on driver complaints about poor working conditions in hot weather, with 42 bus services now set to be affected by strikes over two months

A trade union is warning of “huge disruption” to bus services across North London as a series of strikes by drivers is set to start this week.

More than 1,500 drivers at eight bus garages will strike this Friday (14th) for the first 24-hour walkout of industrial action that could carry on for two months.

Unite members at Arriva North London claim their employer failed to act on driver complaints about poor working conditions in hot weather.

Most buses operated by Arriva North London have air cooling systems rather than air conditioning, and Unite says this system has only managed to reduce temperatures by around two or three degrees during heatwaves this summer, with driver cabs reaching as high as 40 degrees on the hottest days.

The trade union says this puts drivers and the general public at risk as it can lead to crashes, with staff potentially suffering from heat exhaustion, heat stroke and dehydration.

Transport for London (TfL), which commissions bus services from Arriva, says that it working on a “range of measures” to improve driver working conditions and vehicle safety.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Time and time again drivers have complained to Arriva North London about working in dangerous conditions but the company has failed to act which is completely unacceptable.

“A profitable company such as Arriva could easily invest in improving conditions for its drivers and protecting the general public but is instead prioritising greed. We will back our members all the way in this dispute.”

Drivers involved in the industrial dispute are based at bus garages including Edmonton, Enfield, Palmers Green, Stamford Hill, Tottenham and Wood Green.

Strikes will take place from 14th to 15th August, 18th to 21st August, 25th to 28th August, 4th to 5th September, 7th to 8th September, 18th to 19th September, 21st to 22nd September, 2nd to 3rd October, 5th to 6th October, 16th to 17th October and 19th to 20th October.

Industrial action will lead to significant delays and cancellations of bus services with some of the planned strike dates taking place at the same time as closures on the Piccadilly Line in August and September.

The bus services affected are the 19, 29, 34, 41, 66, 67, 76, 102, 121, 141, 149, 150, 158, 175, 191, 192, 217, 221, 243, 248, 254, 259, 279, 307, 313, 329, 341, 349, 370, 375, 377, 616, 675, SL1, SL2, W3, W4, W6, N19, N29, N41 and N279.

A TfL spokesperson said: “We are working together on a range of measures to further improve working conditions, health and wellbeing.

“We are committed to ensuring that all staff have a fair work schedule, with safe vehicles and access to the facilities they need to carry out their roles effectively.

“We would like to reassure colleagues again that any reports from drivers are always fully investigated and our operators should never take action against people raising concerns about welfare.”

For more information on the bus strikes:
Visit tfl.gov.uk/campaign/strikes

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