By Claudia Lee
Abellio bus drivers in South and west London have announced 10 days of strike action over a pay dispute.
More than 950 bus drivers will begin strike action on November 22. They will also strike on November 25 and 26.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “With workers struggling to cope with rampant inflation, Abellio’s failure to even enter into meaningful pay talks is cold-hearted and callous.”
The bus drivers, who are members of the Unite union, are based at garages in Battersea, Beddington, Hayes, Southall, Twickenham and Walworth.
Abellio invited Unite to pay talks in September in order to begin negotiations at the company’s request. However, Unite has had no further response regarding the pay claim.
Unite claims that Abellio has only managed to maintain its schedules by relying on bus drivers having to work overtime.
Unite regional officer Guy Langston said: “The delay in offering a pay increase is causing extreme distress to the workers, who are increasingly struggling to make ends meet and pay even for the basics.”
The strikes will cause widespread disruption across the London bus network, specifically in South and west London areas.
The November dates will be followed by further strikes on December 1, 2, 3, 9, 10, 16 and 17.
Abellio was approached for comment.
Pictured top: The No.3 to Crystal Palace (Picture: Aubrey/Flickr)
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