Bus drivers dig in over pay as more strikes hit South London travellers

Bus drivers working for the Abellio company – which operates most of the services in South London – have begun a three-day walk-out, causing widespread disruption to regular travel plans. 

South London’s primary rail operators are also on strike today and on Friday, in what is part of a widespread and co-ordinated day of industrial action across many sectors, including the NHS, nursing and teaching professions.  

Abellio, one of eight companies operating bus services in the capital, has tabled a 13.5 per cent pay offer but warned there is no prospect of any increase in that figure as the business is ‘losing money’.  

But the union, Unite, says Abellio’s drivers are the lowest paid in London, and that the Dutch-owned multi-national firm recorded profits of £350 million in 2021. 

So far, there have been 20 days of strike action since November, on around 60 bus routes with around 1,900 staff walking out at garages across west, south and central London. 

Jon Eardley, Abellio London’s managing director, said ahead of today’s strike: “The offer on the table represents the largest one-year pay deal across London bus companies, and easily within the top one per cent of pay deals across the entire country, in any sector.  

“There will be no further meetings. There will be no further offers. The business is losing money. Further strikes will achieve nothing and will only damage any possible pay deals in future years.”  

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Abellio is an incredibly wealthy company, whose success is based on the hard graft of its workers.

“It can fully afford to make a fair pay offer which meets our members’ expectations, but it has failed to do so. 

“Unite is unstinting in its commitment to defend the jobs, pay and conditions of its members, and the workforce at Abellio will continue to receive the union’s unwavering support.” 

February strikes are planned at six depots, including ones at Battersea, Beddington and Walworth.  

Louise Cheeseman, director of buses for TfL, said: “TfL will ensure as many bus services as possible run in west and south London, but they will be busier than normal.

“If customers need to travel, they are advised to check before they do so and leave extra time for their journeys.”  

South London rail commuters are also having to find alternatives this week, with strikes today (Wednesday) and Friday, and a likely knock-on effect to services on Thursday and Saturday.  

Train drivers belonging to the Aslef and Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) unions are walking out, meaning 14 operators are without staff, bringing services to a standstill across more than a dozen railway lines.  

The Govia Thameslink, Southern and Southeastern services running through South London are affected.  

Pictured top: An Abellio bus (Picture: Wikimedia Commons/Matt Davis)