Over 300 bus drivers from the East London Bus & Coach Company are set to strike next week as the group has escalated industrial action.
The dispute, according to Unite, concerns bus driver fatigue, with the union claiming that drivers at the company (which forms part of Stagecoach) are driving long distances without breaks, being given increased weekend working hours and are not being given sufficient time between shifts to recover.
In addition, meal breaks are allegedly not being scheduled at the depot, with many workers taking breaks at the side of the road instead of in an adequate rest area.
Drivers at Bow bus garage have reported ‘near misses’ whilst driving, which they have attributed to driving whilst fatigued.
Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham said:Our members at Bow bus garage should not be risking their lives just to go to work.
The situation is appalling, not just for workers but the general public. Stagecoach needs to take drivers' concerns seriously and act immediately. Drivers at Bow bus garage have Unite's complete support during this dispute.
Strikes are set to take place on 17 & 24 April, as well as 15 May. Previous industrial action last month caused both bus cancellations and longer delays.
Action will impact services operating from Bow bus garage and heading towards central London, as well as Westfield Stratford City shopping centre. These include the 8, N8, 25, N25, 45, 205 and N205.
Unite Regional Officer John Murphy said:The last series of strikes were very disruptive and these further dates will be no exception.
Industrial action is a last resort for our members, who have huge concerns around fatigue and safety. Stagecoach must do the right thing and come back to the table with meaningful solutions to the problems our members are raising.
