Millions affected as London's bus drivers walk out in strike over pay

Members of the Unite union walked out from 4am causing travel chaos to millions of commuters.

15:25 05 February 2015

Millions of bus passengers were affected today as London’s bus drivers and other workers walked out from 4am following a dispute over pay. Further strikes are scheduled later this month.

Members of Unite are seeking a single pay and conditions agreement across all of the capital’s 18 bus companies.

Mike Weston, Transport for London’s director of buses, said: ‘I am very sorry that the leadership of Unite is intent on disrupting the journeys of London’s 6.5 million daily bus passengers, especially given that only 16% of bus drivers voted for strike action.

‘Bus driver rates of pay have been negotiated and agreed between Unite and the bus companies individually under a long-standing and jointly agreed process. This has regularly resulted in pay rises above the rate of inflation.

‘As in all professions, bus drivers have different levels of experience and it is only right that this can be reflected in pay. A ‘levelling up’ of pay to the highest rates would result in higher fares and cuts to bus services for passengers and fewer jobs for bus drivers.

‘Today’s strike is likely to mean significant disruption to bus services and I urge customers to please check our website for the latest news. We are getting up-to-date information to customers as quickly as possible to ensure that they can continue to get around the city.’