The second in a series of strikes by thousands of London bus workers has disrupted services and caused long rush-hour traffic jams, as unions lashed out at transport authorities over “misleading” claims.
Unite the union claimed up to 20,000 bus workers had taken part in the 24-hour strike over pay differentials between the capital’s 18 bus operators.
However, Transport for London said that 47% of services were in operation and criticised the union’s action.
Mike Weston, TfL’s director of buses, said: “I am very sorry that the leadership of Unite is intent on disrupting the journeys of London’s 6.5 million daily bus passengers, especially given that only 16% of bus drivers voted for strike action. Bus driver rates of pay have been negotiated and agreed between Unite and the bus companies individually under a long-standing and jointly agreed process. As in all professions, bus drivers have different levels of experience and it is only right that this can be reflected in pay.”
Unite said TfL’s claims over the number of buses running were “wildly optimistic” and accused it of “seeking to inflame the situation with misinformed and misleading comments”. A spokesman said: “Today’s disruption is regrettable, but the blame lies squarely with London’s 18 bus companies who have continued to refuse to talk collectively over the last two years.”
The union says there are many drivers doing the same job on the same route but for different rates of pay, with different operators’ pay rates for new starters varying by 25%-30%.
Traffic analysis from TomTom Traffic said there were 1,511 miles of tailbacks across Greater London this morning, compared to the average total of 440 miles for a Thursday morning.
Buses were running irregularly through central London. Some routes remained unaffected, mainly smaller bus services outside the central zones. Passengers with bus season passes can travel free via other London transport such as the tube during the action, which ends at midnight on Thursday. Two further 24-hour strikes have been called for Friday 13 February and Monday 16 February.
