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Unite confirms strike action decision for three more London bus operators

19th November 2009

Unite members working for First Centre West, First Capital East and Hackney Community Transport have voted overwhelmingly for industrial action in a dispute over pay. Nearly 3,000 bus workers took part in the ballots where strike action which would bring parts of London to a halt.

This comes after the strike decision earlier this week at EDF, on the underground, where Unite members voted for strike action. On Monday (23rd November) 750 Unite members employed by London Underground will hear the result of their own strike ballot. 2,500 Unite members at East London Bus Group will take 2 days of all-out strike action starting at 3am tomorrow (Friday).

Steve Hart, regional secretary of Unite, London’s biggest transport union, said: “These ballot results show the absolute unity and determination of our members to defend their living standards. A pay freeze is totally unacceptable. We will not stand by and allow these cuts in the real living standards of our members.

“Bus operators, London Underground, Transport for London and the mayor need to wake up. We need serious negotiations – we are always ready to talk to reach realistic solutions – but so far in every instance we are facing employer intransigence and a failure to negotiate.

“Unite does not bluff and bluster – we negotiate hard, but are ready to strike if there is no alternative. There will be a major strike wave across London unless employers come to their senses.

“We need action now to avert a public transport crisis.”

Dates of the strike action will be announced shortly.

ENDS

For further information contact Steve Hart on 07970 081509 or Ashraf Choudhury in the Unite press office on 020 7420 8914 or 07980 224761

NOTES TO EDITORS:

• At First Centre West, 69.5 per cent voted for strike action.
• At First Capital East, 66.5 per cent voted for strike action
• At HCT Group 85.7 per cent voted for strike action.

Also, visit the Unite website for further information on the East London Bus Group strike and Unite’s warning of a wave of strikes on London’s public transport due to the mayor’s failings