Bus workers in London have joined rail workers and others in striking throughout the year (Picture: Hollie Adams/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
After a year defined by travel chaos and strike action throughout the UK with bus, rail, and Tube staff going on strike, Brits should brace for more in the coming weeks.
In addition to the historic nurses strike – their first ever – in London, TfL has said that Abellio bus services will be affected by strikes soon.
This industrial action will mainly affect services in west and south London and comes amidst news that the RMT is also planning fresh rail strikes for December and January.
Here is everything you need to know about the coming bus strikes.
When are the next London bus strikes?
In the run up to Christmas, there’ll be more strikes.
The next strikes will take place today, Saturday, December 24. This next round of action will also feel strikes on Tuesday, December 27 and New Year’s Eve (December 31).
After the last strikes in December, there is planned action for the new year on:
Tuesday, January 3
Wednesday, January 4
Friday, January 6
Saturday, January 7
On the days after strikes, a good service will be running by approximately 6am.
More information is available on the TfL website.
Bus strikes will take place this weekend in London affecting commuters across the area (Picture: Richard Baker / In Pictures via Getty)
More than 2,000 London bus drivers employed by Arriva were set to walkout earlier in the year but were called off after successful pay negotiations.
The drivers – who are all members of UK union Unite – received an 11% pay increase from October 15, it was announced on Friday September 30,
In addition, they will also receive 10% in back pay from April 2 and drivers who undertake a night shift on December 26 will now receive an extra £50 payment.
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Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: ‘This is a very strong result and establishes what can be achieved when union members stand together in unity.
‘This deal demonstrates how Unite’s complete focus on the jobs, pay and conditions is paying direct dividends for our members.’
Which bus routes will be affected by strikes?
TfL has said that the following daytime routes will be affected by strike action:
3, 27, 45, 63, 68, 109, 130, 156, 195, 196, 201, 207, 267, 270, 278, 315, 322, 350, 367, 381, 407, 415, 427, 433, 464, 482, 490, 969, C10, E5, E7, E10, E11, H20, H25, H28, H26, P5, P13, R68, R70, S4, U5, U7, U9
The night routes to be affected are: N3, N27, N63, N68, N109, N207, N381
Finally, the 24-hour routes set to be disrupted by strike action are: 24, 111, 159, 285, 344, 345
One school route, the 671, will also be disrupted and TfL also warns that ‘Route 481 will operate but with fewer services on weekdays from 07:30-08:00, and from 15:00-16:00. Remaining services will be busier than normal.’
Why are bus workers striking?
As has been the case in many industries, Bus drivers have been striking over a pay dispute amidst the huge increases in inflation the country has seen.
Many other industries, such as the legal profession and railway workers, have also resorted to industrial action.
In a UK first, Nurses have been the latest sector to ballot to go on strike.
Nearly 50 routes will be affected, so Londoners should brace for disruption (Picture: Wiktor Szymanowicz/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Strikes from other transport unions have seen success, as Aviva Yorkshire saw a pay increase agreed for their workers.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: ‘This was a superb result for our members. Through their unity and determination they have ensured that Arriva more than doubled its original offer.’
‘Unite is the union which always puts the job, pay and conditions of its members first and that approach is paying dividends as this Arriva deal demonstrates.’
MORE : Are tubes running this week amid train strikes?
MORE : Annoyed about the strikes? Point your finger at the Tories, not workers
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