London bus strikes: Drivers announce fresh wave of walkouts in December and January

Bus drivers in south and west London have announced a fresh wave of strike action in a dispute over pay - with walkouts scheduled for Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.

Unite members employed by Abellio will take a further 11 days of strike action in late December and throughout January.

The bus drivers have already taken 10 days of strike action over the last two months.

The dispute initially involved 950 drivers, but Unite said its membership has since doubled.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Abellio is content to hoard mountains of cash but has imposed a completely unacceptable pay offer on its drivers.

“It is disgraceful behaviour and our members are rightly furious.

“Unite always fights to defend and improve members’ jobs, pay and conditions and Abellio’s South and West London workforce have their union’s unflinching support.”

The newest wave of strikes will take place on December 24, 27 and 31 and Janury 4, 5, 10, 12, 16, 19, 25.

The bus drivers are based at garages in Battersea, Beddington, Hayes, Southall, Twickenham and Walworth.

Unite said more strikes will be scheduled if the dispute is not resolved.

Louise Cheeseman, Director of Buses at TfL, said: “We apologise for any disruption caused to Londoners.

“There still will be options for people to travel in west and south London, but other routes may be busier than normal. We’re encouraging everyone in these areas to plan ahead, check before they travel and leave more time for their journeys, especially over the Christmas and New Year period.

“Our free TfL Go app and website are really easy ways to check your travel. We urge Unite and Abellio to work together to find a solution to this dispute.”

The following bus routes will be impacted by Unite strike action:

3, 24, 27, 45, 63, 68 ,109 ,111, 130 ,156, 159, 195, 196, 201, 207, 267, 270, 278, 285, 315, 322, 344, 345, 350, 367, 381, 407, 415, 427, 433 ,464, 482, 490, 671, 969, C10, E5, E7, E10 ,E11, H20, H25, H28, H26, N3, N27, N63, N68, N109, N20, N381, P5, P13, R68, R70, S4, U5, U7, U9