London bus strikes 2023: Drivers balloted after rejecting pay offer

Bus passengers in south London could be set to face further disruptions this summer as drivers employed by Arriva are balloted for strike action.

Over 1,000 bus drivers, who are members of Unite, have rejected a 7.3% pay offer, which the union says is a real terms pay cut, with the true inflation rate (RPI) currently standing at 11.3%.

The drivers who are based at depots in Brixton, Norwood, South Croydon and Thornton Heath began balloting this week and the ballot will close on Wednesday August 2. If the workers vote for strikes then industrial action could begin by the middle of next month.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Our members are not going to accept a real terms pay cut, from a company that could and should make a fair pay offer. Arriva is an incredibly wealthy company that has taken millions out of the UK economy. It can fully afford to make an offer that meets our members’ expectations, but it has chosen not to.

“Unite’s primary focus is on the jobs, pay and conditions of its members and it will ensure that our members receive the union’s total support.”

Unite regional officer Steve Stockwell said: “Strike action will inevitably cause major disruption in South London and across the capital but this dispute is entirely of Arriva’s own making, it has had every chance to make its workers a fair pay offer, but has declined to do so.”

Meanwhile in a separate dispute, Arriva bus drivers in North London, have resolved their dispute after accepting an improved offer.

LondonWorld has contacted Arriva for comment.