London bus drivers are set to resume strike action this week after rejecting an offer aimed at resolving a dispute over working conditions in hot weather. The walkout will involve 1,500 members of the Unite union from Arriva North London, impacting 42 bus routes across the capital and Essex.
Strike dates and affected garages
The strikes will restart on Tuesday, August 25, and run for four days until Friday, August 28. Additional strike dates are scheduled throughout September and October. Drivers from eight garages—Barking, Edmonton, Enfield, Grays, Palmers Green, Stamford Hill, Tottenham, and Wood Green—will participate in the action.
Unite members initially paused strikes planned for August 19–21 following negotiations with the employer. However, workers voted against the new offer, stating it did not go far enough to address the problems of hot weather working.
Dispute over air cooling systems
The core of the dispute centers on the effectiveness of cooling systems on Arriva North London buses. According to a Unite spokesperson, most buses have air cooling systems rather than more effective air conditioning. These systems have only managed to reduce temperatures by around two or three degrees during recent heatwaves, with cabs exceeding 40°C.
Unite argues that these conditions put drivers at increased risk of fatigue and have led to health problems including heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and dehydration. Peter Crane, a driver with 22 years at Arriva, previously showed a photo of a temperature reading from inside his cab at 44°C during earlier strike action at Wood Green Bus station.
Full list of 42 affected routes
The 42 London bus routes facing little to no service during the strike days are: 19, 29, 34, 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, 616, 675, SL1, SL2, W3, W4, W6, N19, N29, N41, and N279.
Calls for Arriva to negotiate
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “London bus drivers do a vital job, but are putting themselves at risk due to these appalling conditions. Arriva can fully afford to make meaningful changes our members can accept. Until that happens, strike action will continue and our members at Arriva North London will continue to have the full backing of Unite.”
Unite regional officer Steven Stockwell added: “There is still time for Arriva to stop this disruptive action, but it relies on it coming back to the table with a deal our members believe will solve the serious problems with conditions once and for all.”
Remaining strike dates
All strikes begin at 4am and finish at 4:30am on the final day of strike action. Many dates in August and September coincide with closures of the Piccadilly line while new trains are being tested, potentially maximizing disruption across North London.
August: Tuesday, August 25 – Friday, August 28
September: Friday, September 4 – Saturday, September 5; Monday, September 7 – Tuesday, September 8; Friday, September 18 – Saturday, September 19; Monday, September 21 – Tuesday, September 22
October: Friday, October 2 – Saturday, October 3; Monday, October 5 – Tuesday, October 6; Friday, October 16 – Saturday, October 17; Monday, October 19 – Tuesday, October 20
