London bus strikes: Abellio drivers announce more walkouts

Abellio employees first went on strike on 22 November

Bus drivers in London are to stage a fresh wave of strikes in a dispute over pay.

Members of Unite employed by Abellio in south and west London will take action over three days in December and eight days throughout January.

The drivers have already taken 10 days of action over the past two months.

Abellio London said it was offering a 12% pay deal "with no conditions" to bring "an established bus driver's salary to around £40,000 per year".

The dispute initially involved 950 drivers, but Unite said its membership had since doubled.

The newest wave of strikes will take place on 24, 27 and 31 December and 4, 5, 10, 12, 16, 19, 25 and 26 January.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "Abellio is content to hoard mountains of cash but has imposed a completely unacceptable pay offer on its drivers.

"It is disgraceful behaviour and our members are rightly furious. Unite always fights to defend and improve members' jobs, pay and conditions and Abellio's south and west London workforce have their union's unflinching support."

Unite said more strikes would be scheduled if the dispute was not resolved.

Jon Eardley, managing director of Abellio London says he is "deeply disappointed" by the industrial action and that the company offers "one of the highest rates in London for new bus drivers".

He said: "We urge Unite to recognise Abellio's 12% pay deal and encourage their members to resume normal services.

"The Abellio pay deal comes with no conditions and sees bus driver basic pay rise by an average of £100 per week and over £5,000 per year, bringing an established bus driver's salary to around £40,000 per year."

A full list of the routes affected can be found on the TfL website.

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