Industrial action by 1,500 bus drivers employed by Arriva London North will affect more than 40 routes across north, east and central London, as well as Essex, with strikes scheduled on multiple dates from August 25 through October 20. The drivers, members of the Unite union, voted to reject a deal over working conditions, triggering a series of walk-outs that will also impact night buses, school services and Superloop routes.
Strike dates and affected services
The following walk-outs are planned: August 25 (4am) to August 28 (4.30am), September 4 (4am) to September 5 (4.30am), September 7 (4am) to September 8 (4.30am), September 18 (4am) to September 19 (4.30am), September 21 (4am) to September 22 (4.30am), October 2 (4am) to October 3 (4.30am), October 5 (4am) to October 6 (4.30am), October 16 (4am) to October 17 (4.30am), and October 19 (4am) to October 20 (4.30am).
The affected routes include: 19, 29, 34, 38, 41, 66, 67, 76, 102, 121, 141, 149, 150, 158, 175, 191, 192, 217, 221, 243, 248, 254, 259, 279, 307, 313, 329, 341, 349, 370, 375, 377, W3, W4, W6, school services 616 and 675, Superloop routes SL1 and SL2, and night buses N19, N29, N41 and N279. Transport for London (TfL) warns that 'little or no service is expected on affected routes' on strike dates.
Reason for the dispute
Unite said the dispute arose because Arriva North had 'failed to act on driver complaints about poor working conditions in hot weather'. The union claims that current air-cooling systems only reduce in-cab temperatures by 'around two or three degrees', arguing that hot weather is dangerous for drivers, causing heat exhaustion, heat stroke and dehydration, and exacerbates fatigue. During periods of hot weather, in-cab temperatures can exceed 40C.
The striking drivers are based at eight bus garages: Barking, Edmonton, Enfield, Grays, Palmers Green, Stamford Hill, Tottenham and Wood Green. The first strike took place on August 14.
Official responses
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: 'Time and time again drivers have complained to Arriva North London about working in dangerous conditions but the company has failed to act which is completely unacceptable. A profitable company such as Arriva could easily invest in improving conditions for its drivers and protecting the general public but is instead prioritising greed. We will back our members all the way in this dispute.'
TfL said: '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.'
Passengers are advised to check TfL service updates before travelling on strike dates, as disruption is expected across the affected routes.
