2022 was a year defined by travel chaos and strike action throughout the UK with bus, rail, and Tube staff going on strike, but Brits should brace for more in January.
In addition to the historic nurses strike – their first ever – in London, Abellio bus services will also be affected by strikes.
This industrial action will mainly affect services in West and South London and comes around the same time as rail strikes and border force strikes – leaving the post-Christmas period in chaos.
Here is everything you need to know about the coming bus strikes.
When are the next London bus strikes?
After today’s action (Tuesday, January 10) the next strike is set to take place on Thursday, January 12.
There is then further action planned throughout the month. The dates are:
- Monday, January 16
- Thursday, January 19
- Wednesday, January 25
- Thursday, January 26
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On the days after strikes, a good service will be running by approximately 6am.
More information is available on the TfL website.
Which bus routes will be affected by strikes?
Full list of affected bus routes
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: ‘Route 481 will operate but with fewer services on weekdays from 7.30am – 8am, and from 3pm – 4pm.
‘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.
Of the Abellio dispute specifically, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said on December 20: ‘Abellio is content to horde mountains of cash but has imposed a completely unacceptable pay offer on its drivers.
‘It is disgraceful behaviour and our members are rightly furious.
‘Unite always fights to defend and improve members’ jobs, pay and conditions and Abellio’s South and West London workforce have their union’s unflinching support.’
However, Jon Eardley, the managing director of Abellio London, responded: ‘We urge Unite to recognise Abellio’s 12% pay deal and encourage their members to resume normal services.
‘The Abellio pay deal comes with no conditions and sees bus driver basic pay rise by an average of £100 per week and over £5,000 per year, bringing an established bus driver’s salary to around £40,000 per year.
‘We also currently pay one of the highest rates in London for new bus drivers.’
The company also said in a statement on its website that it would implement the pay change from January 2023 ‘to ensure that all drivers benefit from a significant uplift in salary’.
Many other industries, such as the legal profession and railway workers, have also resorted to industrial action.
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 : All the strikes planned for January 2023 – from trains and roads to teachers and ambulance staff
MORE : Annoyed about the strikes? Point your finger at the Tories, not workers
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