Commuters in East London are set for further travel chaos as a series of new bus strikes have been announced, deepening a bitter dispute over allegations of workplace bullying.
Strike Dates and Affected Routes
Around 350 drivers based at the Lea Interchange Bus Garage in Leyton will walk out on two separate weekends. The industrial action is scheduled for Friday, February 6 and Saturday, February 7, followed by another stoppage on Friday, February 20 and Saturday, February 21.
The Unite union warns that there will be little or no service on the 13 routes that operate from the depot. Areas including Leyton, Leytonstone, and Walthamstow are expected to bear the brunt of the disruption, with services to Stratford and Newham Hospital also severely impacted.
The Core of the Dispute
This latest round of strikes follows similar action taken throughout December and January. The conflict centres on serious claims made by Unite, which alleges that its representatives and members have been subjected to union busting and bullying by Stagecoach management.
The union states that workers have faced aggressive behaviour, including instances of being "unfairly dismissed then reinstated and suspended on trumped-up charges." Unite regional officer, John Murphy, placed the blame squarely on the employer. "This dispute is completely the fault of the employer who has failed to come forward with a plan to resolve this problem," he said.
Stagecoach's Response and Passenger Impact
In response, a Stagecoach spokesperson strongly refuted the allegations. "All employees are held to the same standards of behaviour, regardless of their role, and any allegations of misconduct are handled in line with our established policies and procedures," they stated.
The spokesperson expressed disappointment at the escalation but affirmed a commitment to resolving the issue through proper channels. "Our priority continues to be delivering a safe and reliable bus service for our customers, and we will work to minimise any disruption," they added.
Passengers are advised to seek alternative travel arrangements on the strike dates. The following bus routes are likely to have little to no service:
- 58
- 69
- 97
- 158
- 215
- 230
- 257
- 308
- 339
- 488
- D8
- W13
- W19
