London’s Christmas shopping season could be thrown into chaos as hundreds of bus drivers prepare to vote on strike action amid claims of union-busting.
Workers at the Lea Interchange Bus Company, based at Leyton Bus Garage, will vote on whether to take strike action at the beginning of December.
The move could cause disruption during the Christmas shopping period, with 13 routes affected, one of which being the 97 which serves Westfield Stratford City shopping centre.
Union representatives at the depot have been the target of “aggressive behaviour” following a change in management, Unite the union claims.
The chair of the branch was suspended, then dismissed, and reinstated, while another rep has been suspended on what the union claims are “trumped-up charges” following an “altercation with management”.
Unite believes its representatives are being victimised and singled-out for undertaking trade union activities, which is in violation of UK employment law.
"This is union-busting, pure and simple. And Unite will never stand for it,” Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said.
"Management must end this treatment of our Unite reps, or it will face dealing with strike action that will disrupt services in East London.
“This is a dispute entirely of the employer’s making.”
The ballot closes on 18 November, with strikes looking to begin in early December.
Other routes that will see delays and cancellations should strike action go ahead are 58, 86, 135, 236, 276, 308, 339, 488, D8, W13, W14 and 678.
Unite regional officer John Murphy said: "Given the number of routes and drivers involved, any strike action will lead to travel chaos especially around the busy Christmas shopping and festivities period.
“Members at the bus depot are very supportive of their colleagues, who have been hardworking reps. They will not stand for union busting and management must reconsider their behaviour or will face disruptive industrial action.”
It is the latest threat of strike action affecting London buses.
TfL has been contacted for comment.
