10/10/2008

Thousands Face Delays With London Bus Strikes

Around 5,000 London bus drivers have started a 24-hour strike which is set to cause disruption to thousands of commuters.

Thousands of Metroline and first drivers started their industrial action at 3am, in a row over pay.

Transport for London are warning passengers to expect services to be "withdrawn or severely reduced" during the walkouts, which are expected to affect around 160 bus routes mainly across the north-east and west London.

Drivers from Metrobus were also due to join the strike, but the company yesterday won legal action preventing its drivers from taking part.

In a statement, the company said: "Following a successful legal challenge today Metrobus are pleased to announce that the planned strike for Friday, October 10 has been called off.

"All services will be running as normal."

Unite is calling for a single rate of pay of drivers of £30,000 a year, based on a 38 hour week. Currently, the 18 London bus companies all operate with different pay structures.

Peter Kavanagh, Unite Senior Regional Official, said: "There is a shocking difference between bus drivers pay in London, with rosters in some companies seeing many drivers' complete nearly 60 hours per week.

"Unite will continue to ballot further bus companies to join those drivers out on strike until serious discussions have taken place to try and implement equal pay for all London bus workers."

A further 24-hour strike has been planned by the Union for 22 October.

(JM/KMcA)

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