London bus strikes 2023: June Arriva walkouts announced by drivers

Bus drivers in north and east London have announced four days of strike action in June in a dispute over pay.

Around 1,7000 Unite members employed by Arriva announced their action after rejecting a 7% pay increase.

The workers will undertake an initial two day strike on Tuesday June 20 and Wednesday June 21 followed by a further two days of strike on Tuesday June 27 and Wednesday June 28.

Unite says that if the dispute isn’t resolved further strikes will be called.

The industrial action affects workers based at garages in Ash Grove, Barking, Clapton, Edmonton, Enfield, Palmers Green, Tottenham and Wood Green.

TfL has confirmed the routes that will be 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

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.”

Unite says drivers start on pay rates of just £13.65 an hour, which they report they cannot afford to live on in London.

The union says Arriva, which is owned by Deutsche Bahn, has paid £560 million in profit transfers.

“Over the last decade, Deutsche Bahn has paid dividends of £5 billion to the German government,” Unite said.

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 is totally focussed on the jobs, pay and conditions of its members and the bus drivers at Arriva will receive the union’s complete support.”

A TfL spokesperson said: “We encourage both parties to get round the table and find a solution.”

LondonWorld has contacted Arriva for comment.

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