1,600 London bus drivers voting on strike action amid row over pay and working conditions

Over 1,500 London United bus drivers are voting to walk out over pay and working conditions. The 1,600 drivers - based at seven garages providing services across South, West and Central London - will decide whether to trade their cabins for placards, having rejected a four per cent pay offer.

They claim the offer is “a real terms pay cut” as it falls short of the real rate of inflation. The ballot for strike action opened this week and will close on July 22.

Unite regional officer Michelle Braveboy said: “London United will be directly responsible for any disruption caused to bus services in South, West and Central London. The company could have easily put forward a fair deal months ago but has refused to do so. There is still time to avoid strike action, but London United must table an offer our members can accept."

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Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Our members are sick and tired of their employer trying to suppress their pay. RATP Group brings in billions but is offering London United drivers a real terms pay cut on top of putting forward working conditions that are not fit for purpose.

Speaking to the BBC , a Transport for London spokesperson said: "We encourage Unite and London United to work together to come to an agreement and avoid disruption to Londoners."

London United is part of the French state owned RATP Group. RATP Group have been contacted for comment.

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