Bus passengers across West, North West and South West London faced widespread disruptions on Friday 15 November, as a 24-hour strike began, affecting seven key routes. The action, led by over 350 Unite union members employed by London Transit, a subsidiary of First Bus, marks the latest escalation in a growing pay dispute with the operator. The walkout is the first of several planned in the coming fortnight, with 48-hour and 72-hour strikes scheduled to follow.
According to reporting by The Standard, services on the 13, 23, 31, N31, 218, 295 and 452 bus routes are expected to be severely affected, with Transport for London (TfL) warning of “little to no service” during the strike period.
Escalating Tensions Between Workers and First Bus Over Wages
The strike follows a rejected pay offer that Unite claims falls below inflation, failing to reflect the cost of living pressures experienced by drivers. The union argues that despite First Bus generating significant revenue from London passengers, workers are being offered inadequate terms. The dispute centres on calls for an above-inflation pay increase and fair treatment of staff who operate under challenging conditions.
Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham strongly condemned the employer’s stance, stating:
“This is disgraceful behaviour from a company making millions from London bus passengers. It shows an utter disregard for its workers and the hard work they do day in, day out. Our members won’t stand for such behaviour and Unite will back them all the way in this dispute with a company that has a history of anti-worker behaviour.”
This walkout is not an isolated event. Drivers affiliated with Unite have already held four strike days earlier this year. The company has recently acquired London United from RATP, a move that previously prompted planned strikes across additional routes, though these were mostly called off in September. The growing frequency and intensity of the industrial action reflect the deepening frustration among bus workers.
First Bus Responds With Disappointment And Urges Negotiation
In response, First Bus London defended its offer, which it claims includes an above-inflation raise and full back pay for all affected employees. The company expressed disappointment over the breakdown of negotiations and reiterated its willingness to return to discussions with Unite.
A First Bus spokesperson commented:
“We are disappointed that talks with Unite have broken down despite our continued efforts to reach a fair and reasonable agreement, including an above-inflation pay offer with full back pay for all employees.
We urge Unite to re-engage in meaningful discussions so we can reach a resolution and end the ongoing disruption, which causes inconvenience for passengers and loss of earnings for our employees.
We expect there to be little or no service on the affected routes, and we’re sorry for any disruption this may cause to people’s journeys. There will still be alternative travel options, but other routes may be busier than normal.”
While the company maintains that its proposal is both competitive and fair, the impasse suggests a disconnect between employer and employee perspectives on the value of the workforce and the realities of London’s rising living costs.
Public Transport Faces Further Pressure As Strike Continues
TfL has attempted to reassure passengers that the broader London bus network will remain operational, with the vast majority of routes unaffected. Nonetheless, the localised impact in affected boroughs is likely to cause commuting delays, particularly during peak hours.
In a statement, TfL warned:
“There is likely to be little to no service on affected routes.”They added:
“Strike action is expected to impact seven bus routes, however, the vast majority of London’s bus network will still operate as planned on these days. Some local bus routes may be busier than normal.
We encourage customers who are affected to plan ahead, allow extra time for their journeys and check before they travel using our website or the TfL Go app. We encourage both parties to find a solution to this dispute and we’re sorry for any disruption to people’s journeys.”
TfL’s advisory reflects concerns about overcrowding and delayed commutes, as displaced passengers turn to alternative services including other buses, the Underground, and bicycles.
More Strikes Ahead As Resolution Remains Uncertain
The current 24-hour strike will be followed by a 48-hour walkout from Monday 17 November, and a 72-hour strike starting Wednesday 26 November, unless a resolution is reached. With no agreement in sight, further disruption appears likely, raising concerns among passengers and local businesses that depend on reliable public transport access.
This industrial conflict highlights the fragile equilibrium between private bus operators, labour unions, and the public transport authority. It also reignites broader debates about worker pay, corporate profits, and the resilience of London’s transport infrastructure in the face of labour unrest.
For now, commuters on affected routes are advised to monitor updates closely and prepare for ongoing disruption as the dispute unfolds.
