More than 1,500 bus drivers from eight garages in London will strike in a dispute over working conditions, causing chaos for commuters. Members of Unite employed by Arriva North London are set to walk out on 26 dates from August to October, with services across north London and Essex affected.
Why are drivers striking?
The strikes follow a row over conditions in hot weather this summer. The union has called on Arriva to improve conditions to protect drivers during extreme heat, and has accused the operator of failing to act on complaints about conditions. The dispute centres on conditions inside buses, with Unite announcing the strike in a bid to ensure all are fitted with effective air conditioning.
Many buses have reached unbearable temperatures for passengers and drivers during the recent heatwaves, with most fitted with air cooling rather than more effective air conditioning systems. These systems only blow in outside air, leaving drivers exposed to temperatures of 40C, with some comparing their cabs to "greenhouses".
Safety concerns
Some drivers have said they feared for their own safety, and have experienced heat exhaustion, heat stroke and dehydration this summer, according to Unite. While drivers have been told they can take breaks when needed, many feel under pressure to keep services running for the sake of passengers. Drivers have previously told the Standard how sweltering conditions on board during hot weather is compromising safety, saying they can struggle to concentrate on the road.
A spokesperson for Arriva told The Standard that they are not yet in a position to provide specific route-by-route details of the impact of the strikes, as level of disruption will depend on staffing levels on the days when walkouts occur. They added that they do not expect to know which routes are expected to be impacted until just a day or two before the strikes - which could lead to even more traffic pain for commuters, who will not be able to plan their journeys ahead of time.
Drivers stage a 'Bill of Rights' rally
A number of London bus drivers staged a rally outside TfL's Palestra offices in Southwark, on Thursday, demanding a "Bill of Rights." The rally was organised by individual bus drivers, taking place independent of any unions. The Bus Drivers' Bill of Rights is a list of demands, made up of twelve points, including drivers having access to toilets on all routes, proper rest breaks, no forced overtime, and working air-cooling and heating systems.
While the strike is not related to all the issues in the proposed Bill of Rights, it is linked via the demands for better working conditions in heatwaves. Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan has previously pledged support for drivers during heatwaves, but no specific measures have previously been outlined.
Some drivers who attended the protest blamed the mayor for the conditions, with one telling ITV: "We don't get treated right by passengers, TFL, Sadiq Khan, or even other road users. People really don't understand the amount of disrespect we get while trying to help out Londoners. The Bill of Rights would make buses safer to operate for drivers and for passengers."
One driver named Jason told the BBC that "life is not good". He said: "There's the toilet dignity issue which means that on certain routes there are no toilets or the toilets are of extremely poor quality. Driving in the summer is stifling. It's horrible. We have thermometers in the cab and it's got to over 40 degrees. It's impossible driving in that temperature."
Toni, another bus driver, added: "I think if passengers knew the reality of the bus driver's life, they'd be actually very frightened. I regularly feel so fatigued that I would feel slightly nauseous."
Reform UK Assembly Member Keith Prince, who first tabled the motion, told BBC London: "We're living in the 21st Century - how can it be acceptable that bus drivers are expected to drive on a route and at the end of that, they haven't even got the basic facilities of a toilet? Completely unacceptable. And then when it's hot, they're being forced to drive in absolutely inhumane conditions and when it's freezing cold, the same."
TfL response
In response to the rally, a TfL spokesperson said: "Bus drivers play an essential role in keeping the capital moving. Alongside bus operators, we take their safety and welfare seriously and we rightly require operators to meet high standards. We regularly engage with Unite the Union on these matters. 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."
A spokesperson for TfL said the strike action is expected to hit local bus routes in north and some central London areas, with some routes busier than usual. They added: "We encourage both parties to find a solution to this dispute and we’re sorry for any disruption to people’s journeys."
