Union secures pay increase for bus controllers after strike action

Unite the union has announced a “pay victory” for workers employed by Transport UK – previously known as Abellio. 

The controllers won a pay rise of 12 per cent, including an eight per cent rise backdated to January 2023, and a further four per cent for this year.

Unite regional officer Maxine Loza said: “Bus controllers do a highly-skilled job and one they should be paid properly for.

“It was disappointing that our members were forced to take to the picket line to get a fair day’s pay so they should be praised for the dedication and resolve they showed during this dispute. 

“Unite had their backs the whole time and we achieved the pay rise they deserved.”

The bus workers use satellite GPS systems to monitor bus routes across  London and instruct drivers on traffic jams or accidents to ensure overall safety.

About 40 staff who work in control rooms in Battersea for Transport UK walked out for eight days of strike action from May 8 to 10, after rejecting a five per cent pay offer from their employer. The strike was then extended from May 13 to 17, which was later cancelled after Unite and Transport UK reached an agreeement.

Unite said the offer was a “substantial real-terms pay cut”, as inflation stood at 13.4 per cent last January when the pay rise was due.

A spokeswoman from Transport UK said: “We are pleased that the strikes planned by Unite for May for our bus controller and officials staff groups within Transport UK London Bus have been cancelled. After further negotiations we now have an offer that is recommended for acceptance by Unite.”

(Picture: Fernando Garcia/Flickr)