TfL ticket inspectors to strike

The industrial action will only affect buses, although TfL said fare checks would still continue

Nearly 300 ticket inspectors at Transport for London (TfL) will go on strike later this week over what they say are unfair wages.

The Compliance, Policing, Operations and Security Directorate (CPOS) workers, who enforce ticket checks at railways stations and on buses, will strike on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and then again on 20, 21 and 22 December.

Sharon Graham, general secretary of the trade union Unite, said: "These vital workers are being undervalued and have been offered an unacceptable pay deal."

TfL said in a statement: "We have held a number of constructive discussions with our trade unions and have presented an attractive pay offer that has been accepted by other unions."

'We have measures in place'

The action comes after the compliance officers rejected a pay rise that did not consider an equal wage with equivalent London Underground staff.

Unite regional officer Steven Stockwell said: "These workers are putting themselves in harm's way on a daily basis and just want pay parity compared to other colleagues in London on a different part of the network."

TfL said: "We are disappointed that the Unite union has announced this strike action for members of our Compliance, Policing, Operations and Security Directorate.

"This action only impacts the bus network, however we have measures in place and still plan to have officers carrying out revenue inspection on buses."