London bus strikes 2023: Workers balloted for autumn walkouts in dispute over pay

Bus passengers in west and northwest London could be faced with travel disruptions this autumn as workers are balloted for industrial action, due to a dispute over pay.

More than 500 members of Unite are set to vote to take strike action after the union rejected various pay increases of between 5 and 6.4%, which the union says is a real terms pay cut, with the true inflation rate (RPI) currently standing at 10.7%.

The dispute involves workers employed by French-owned company RATP. This includes bus drivers at the Westbourne Park garage as well as engineers at the company’s 10 London garages, plus controllers and supervisors.

The ballot will open on Monday August 14 and closes on Monday September 11, if the workers vote for industrial action, then strikes could begin before the end of next month.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “RATP is a huge multinational company that can fully afford to pay our members a decent pay increase. RATP needs to stop dragging its feet and make our members a fair pay offer.

“Unite does what it says on the trade union tin and it always puts the jobs, pay and conditions of its members first, the workers at RATP will be receiving Unite’s total support.”

Unite regional officer Michelle Braveboy said: “Strike action will inevitably cause severe disruption to bus passengers across West and North London, but this dispute is entirely the own making of RATP’s management. They have had every opportunity to make an offer to meet our members’ expectations but have failed to do so.”

LondonWorld has contacted RATP for comment.

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