Transport Enforcement Officers Plan to Escalate Strike Action

Dispute is over pay differentials with London Underground staff

Three days of industrial action planned in the latest round. Picture: TfL

February 20, 2025

Renewed strike action is in prospect by staff responsible for tackling fare evasion on London’s transport network.

300 employees of the Compliance, Policing, Operations and Security Directorate (CPOS) at Transport for London (TfL) held industrial action last December following the rejection of a pay offer.

Their union Unite says that it was unacceptable because of the differential in pay between staff at the unit and those employed by London Underground. It is claimed that this can mean a difference of £27,000 per annum despite the roles being equivalent.

Unite adds that its members have to deal with violence and aggression in their jobs and therefore should have pay parity with those doing the same job. CPOS enforcement officers are responsible for safety and security at Underground, Overground and DLR stations and the London bus network. In the last few months alone, workers have reported instances of being racially abused, spat at, attacked with a bottle, punched and headbutted.

As well as investigating and prosecuting fare evaders, the CPOS manages the 11-18 free travel scheme on buses and requests from police and law enforcement agencies for customer information and CCTV footage to address policing, national security and law enforcement issues. They are also responsible for checks on taxis.

The first round of strike action took place over six days December and the workers will strike again on 20, 21 and 22 February and further industrial action will be scheduled if the dispute is not resolved.

During this time there will be fewer ticket inspectors on duty and the union has previously warned of a ‘fares free-for-all”.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said, “TfL’s imposed pay offer is an insult to these workers, who play a vital role in keeping the public safe. They cannot keep being treated as second class employees compared to their London Underground colleagues. TfL must come back with an acceptable offer or these strikes will continue to escalate.”

Unite regional officer Steven Stockwell said, “These workers regularly put themselves in physical danger for the security of the public. It is totally unacceptable that they are paid less than their London Underground colleagues performing the same role. TfL is entirely responsible for this dispute and the impact it will have on the network. It needs to come back with an acceptable offer.”

TfL originally offered a lump sum payment to staff rather than an annual percentage increase. Previously, TfL has claimed that the pay offer made was attractive and was accepted by other unions and that the action by CPOS staff will only affect the bus network where revenue inspection will nevertheless continue.