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Unite Threatens Nationwide Bus Strikes as London Walkouts Set for Aug. 29 and Sept. 1

Unite is coordinating disputes to force better pay with safer schedules.

Overview

  • About 7,500 Unite members are either striking or being balloted across Birkenhead, Brighton, Bristol, Cardiff, Chorley, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Preston, Stoke and Swindon.
  • Drivers, engineers and controllers at London United and London Transit plan walkouts on Aug. 29 and Sept. 1 over alleged non‑backdated pay, changed pay anniversaries and withdrawn shift premiums.
  • The London action covers roughly 90 routes from eight depots in west and south‑west London and risks significant disruption to school runs if no agreement is reached.
  • Further action is planned in the coming weeks, including announced strikes by 550 First Bus workers in Bristol, 450 at Cardiff Bus and 70 at Go South West in Swindon, with additional ballots under way.
  • Unite cites driver fatigue, abuse and poor facilities as core issues and says it has pursued 167 bus disputes since 2023 involving 42,626 workers.