London bus drivers strip off to strike over pay disparities

The drivers, who are members of trade union Unite, are taking part in industrial action at Marble Arch in London this morning over disparity in wages which, according to Unite, can vary by as much as £10,000 between companies.

The union claims companies paying higher wages are cutting terms and conditions in their bid to hold onto work while drivers of companies winning new contracts are ‘forcibly' transferred across London. And as lower paying companies win routes from competitors, this has an adverse affect on pay, pensions and terms.

But a spokeswoman at Transport for London told HR magazine: "We do not set the pay and conditions for bus drivers - that is the role of the individual companies. But it is difficult to compare remuneration packages because some firms have higher pay, while others have better pensions or holidays. It comes down to overall package.

"Due to competition it is impractical for the bus companies to sit down together and discuss conditions, but we would advise Unite to enter into negotiations with companies rather than taking staff out of work to strike."

But she added: "Bus drivers provide a valuable service to Londoners, and their pay and conditions should reflect that.  Since Transport for London was formed eight years ago, bus drivers' pay has increased by around 50 per cent.  Hours of work and working conditions have also improved considerably." 

Unite has submitted a claim to all of London's bus operators for a central pay bargaining mechanism as a means to streamline standards and treat all employees fairly.