London Underground dispute could be taking place at same time

London United Buses at a depot. Picture RATP

The prospect of bus, tube and train services being severely disrupted on the same day is looming later this month.

Over 1,600 drivers employed by London United, a subsidiary of French conglomerate RATP, have voted to strike on Friday 19 August and Saturday 20 August.

On Friday there is also the possibility of industrial action by the RMT taking place on London Underground and London Overground.

The bus strike has been called by Unite the Union over what it deems to be an inadequate pay rise for drivers of 3.6% this year and 4.2% next year which would represent a significant real term reduction in pay.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said, “The workers’ parent company RATP is fabulously wealthy and it can fully afford to pay our members a decent wage increase.

“Unite’s members play a crucial role in keeping London moving and they are not going to accept seeing their pay constantly eroded.

“Unite does what it says on the trade union tin and always defends the jobs, pay and conditions of its members. Our members at London United will receive the union’s complete support until this dispute is resolved and a fair pay offer secured.”

The strike action will affect services from seven bus depots including Stamford Brook, Shepherd’s Bush, Park Royal, Fulwell, Hounslow, Hounslow Heath and Tolworth. Buses run by other operators will be in service.

Unite regional officer Michelle Braveboy said, “Strike action will cause considerable disruption to passengers across London. This dispute is of the company’s own making, it can make a fair pay offer to its workers but has chosen not to, so it now faces the prospects of a highly disruptive strike action.”

If the strike proceeds the following routes will be affected:

Stamford Brook

Routes: 9, 211, 272, 283, E3, H91 and N9

Shepherd’s Bush

Routes: 49, 70, 72, 94, 148, C1 and N72

Fulwell

Routes: 33, 65, 71, 85, 281, 290, 371, 481, 671, 681, K3, N33 and N65

Hounslow

Routes: 110, 111, 117, 203, 419, E1, H22, H32, H37 and H98

Hounslow Heath

Routes: 105, 116, 216, 400, 411, 423, 635, 663, 696, 697, KU1, KU2 and KU3

Park Royal

Routes: 18, 220, 223, 224, 258, 266, 440, N18 and N266.

Tolworth

Routes: 265, 293, 404, 406, 418, 465, 467, 470, 613, 662, 665, K1, K2, K4 K5 and S3

24-hour strikes will also take place on London Underground on Friday 19 August with the RMT saying that it has had insufficient assurances from Transport for London over required cuts to jobs and pensions which will be required as part of a financial settlement with the government. Over 10,000 workers are expected to walk out if the strike proceeds.

RMT members working for London Overground will strike on the same day in a separate dispute with Arriva over pay after an increase of 5% was offered.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “This strike action by our members on LU and the Overground is yet another demonstration of how transport workers refuse to accept a raw deal.

“TfL have had ample opportunity to be transparent about the funding they will receive and to give tube workers the assurances they need.

“Yet they have totally failed to give those guarantees.

"And Arriva Rail London, a company swimming in money, refuses to give our members a pay rise that will deal with the escalating cost of living crisis.

“There will be significant disruption on the 19th August but TfL and Arriva Rail London bear responsibility for this break down in industrial relations.”

August 8, 2022