London set for travel disruption as bus workers and Tube drivers could strike on the same day
London could face widespread disruptions to travel in the coming months as bus workers could go on strike on the same days as planned tube strikes, it warned on Thursday.
Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) members will strike for two days in April, May and June due to an ongoing dispute over working hours.
Two strikes planned for next week were recently canceled after progress was made in talks with the London Underground.
Separately, Unite announced that its members employed by Transport for London (TfL) as bus terminal and network traffic controllers were put to a vote on industrial action over posts.
Voting closes on April 13 and Unite has stated that any strike action could coincide with the planned dates of the RMT.
General Secretary Sharon Graham said: “Our hard-working members at TfL play an important role in keeping bus passengers safe and keeping services running well, but they have been rewarded with route changes that will seriously impact their work/life balance and even put them at risk of being disciplined for a situation over which they have no control.
“This situation is unacceptable and TfL must change course or face a highly disruptive strike. Our members at TfL have the full support of the union during this dispute.”
A TfL spokesman said: “We continue to work with Unite on proposed changes to the route and hope to reach a position that will work for everyone.”
Two 24-hour strikes by London Underground drivers next week have been called off, the RMT union said, following progress in talks to resolve a dispute over working hours.
London’s Labor mayor, Sir Sadiq Khan, described the breakthrough as “positive news for Londoners, businesses and visitors”.
He added: “I am glad that the talks were constructive and both sides continue to work towards a solution.”
It is unclear what led to this move, but Transport for London had previously stated that the proposed four-day working week would only be for train drivers on the Bakerloo line, adding that changes to working patterns would be voluntary and called on the union to cancel the proposed strikes.
Nick Dent, customer operations manager at London Underground, said: “We are pleased that the RMT has suspended its planned industrial action between Tuesday 24 March and Friday 27 March.
