Employees voted for strike action across the 21 bus operators by an average of 94% on an average 38% turnout after their employers refused to agree to a bonus for the extra workload caused by the hosting of the Olympics and Paralympics in London. While up to 800,000 additional passengers are expected to use buses during the Olympics, London bus drivers are the only group of affected workers not to have been offered a bonus for coping with the increased workload. Bonus payments for other groups of workers like railway and underground workers range from GBP 500 to GBP 900 (EUR 620 to EUR 1,120). By Gregor Gall, Research Professor of Industrial Relations and Director of the Work and Employment Research Unit (WERU), University of Hertfordshire. (Ref. 120406)
The drivers’ union, Unite, has sought to negotiate with the companies for well over a year on its claim of a £500 (€620) bonus. So far the companies have refused to meet the union on the issue. After the strike ballot results were announced, the union again sought talks with the companies but no avail. Unite has now stated it will call further strikes up to and during the Olympic Games if its claim is not met. Unite is also seeking to put political pressure on the Major of London, the Transport
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