Starting this week, a total of 52 bus routes in London will experience disruptions due to a planned strike by drivers. The strike, organized by the union Unite and announced on Tuesday, will involve over 1,700 drivers employed by Arriva, a prominent bus company. The strike is scheduled to occur on June 20, 21, 27, and 28 and arises from an ongoing disagreement over wages.
These four consecutive days of industrial action, falling on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, are anticipated to cause significant disruptions in transportation, particularly in the northern and eastern parts of London. The impact on travel is expected to result in what has been described as “travel chaos” throughout the affected areas of the city.
TfL has confirmed the routes affected are: 19, 29, 34, 38, 41, 73, 78, 102, 121, 123, 141, 144, 149, 150, 158, 175, 191, 192, 221, 242, 243, 253, 254, 259, 279, 307, 313, 318, 325, 329, 340, 341, 349, 377, 675, W3, W4, W6, N19, N29, N38, N41, N73, N102, N123, N149, N158, N242, N243, N253, N279, N341.
Following the rejection of a seven percent pay offer by Arriva, members of Unite have voted in favor of engaging in a strike. The union has expressed its concern and issued a warning that additional walkouts may occur if the ongoing dispute remains unresolved.
Unite claims that Arriva, which is owned by Deutsche Bahn, the national railway company of Germany, is effectively under the control of the German government.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Arriva is an extremely wealthy company but it has got its priorities all wrong.
“It needs to be concentrating on paying its workers fairly rather than providing the German government with huge dividends.”
Unite regional officer Steven Stockwell said: “The strike action is set to create travel chaos across London but this dispute is totally of Arriva’s own making. It has had every chance to make our members an offer that meets their expectations but has refused to do so.”
A TfL spokesperson said: “We encourage both parties to get round the table and find a solution.”