More than 150 bus controllers and network traffic controllers employed by Transport for London (TfL) are set to stage further strike action this week in an escalating dispute over rota changes. The walkouts, organized by the Unite union, will take place on Thursday and Friday, May 21 and 22, coinciding with planned industrial action by RMT London Underground drivers. The tube drivers are walking out over two 24-hour periods between Tuesday, May 19, and Friday, May 22, raising the prospect of widespread disruption across the capital’s transport network.
The bus controllers carry out safety-critical duties, including managing incidents and accidents, overseeing bus stations, and implementing road diversions and bus stop closures during emergencies or traffic disruption. The latest escalation comes after Unite claimed that TfL allowed private bus operators to create unofficial diversions during strike action held between April 23 and 25. According to figures seen by the union, more than 85 diversions were made without TfL risk assessments. Unite alleges this potentially put drivers and passengers at risk because formal diversion assessments are designed to ensure routes are safe and suitable for buses.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “It is an absolute disgrace that while our members are taking industrial action to fight for their conditions with passenger safety at the forefront of their concerns, TfL and the bus companies failed to maintain safety standards. TfL and the bus firms have serious questions to answer about why proper risk assessments were not undertaken.” The union also claimed that TfL drafted in untrained band four and five employees, including managers, to cover bus station controllers during previous strikes.
The dispute centres on proposed rota changes which Unite says would increase weekend working and require controllers to oversee more bus stations across different parts of London. The union argues the changes could increase fatigue and stress, while also leaving workers vulnerable to disciplinary action if they cannot reach sites on time. The strike action comes as Tube drivers prepare for two separate 24-hour walkouts this week in a continuing dispute over working patterns and a proposed four-day week.
RMT members are due to strike from midday on Tuesday, May 19, and again from midday on Thursday, May 21. TfL has warned passengers to expect disruption across the Underground network, with no service expected on the Circle and Piccadilly lines and partial closures planned on sections of the Metropolitan and Central lines. While buses, the Elizabeth line, DLR, London Overground, and trams are expected to continue running, services are likely to be significantly busier as commuters seek alternative routes. RMT says the proposed changes to Tube drivers’ working arrangements could increase fatigue and reduce flexibility, while TfL insists the four-day week scheme would be voluntary and improve efficiency.
Tube drivers are staging two 24-hour walkouts from 12pm on Tuesday, May 19, and 12pm on Thursday, May 21. On Tuesday, May 19, and Thursday, May 21, normal services are expected until mid-morning, followed by some disruption as services reduce ahead of strike action. After midday, disruption is expected on all lines, and Tube services that do run will finish early. On Wednesday, May 20, and Friday, May 22, disruption is expected on all lines in the morning, with services starting later than normal. Continued disruption is expected throughout the afternoon and evening as services return to normal, with normal service resuming in the evening.
