Commuters are struggling to get into work this morning as thousands of bus drives walked out of bus garages, crippling the network in the city and East end.

58 routes have been affected as Unite members working for the East London Bus Group strike over a zero per cent pay offer.

750 buses, including night buses, will be hit- The East London Bus Group employs 2,600 workers of which 2,400 are Unite members.

The union staged a 24 hour stoppage on 9 November.

An East London Bus Group spokesman said most of its drivers were "amongst the highest paid in London". Their Chief executive officer Nigel Barrett said it was "disappointed" at the union's action. Adding:

"The majority of our drivers are still amongst the highest paid in London with basic pay ranging from £28,121 to £31,317 per annum depending on length of service, with drivers on articulated route 25 earning £35,362 per annum."

Unite has been in discussions with the company on pay since April 2009 and after a couple meetings, the company decided that it would impose a pay freeze. Unite members disagreed and voted to reject the offer and to take strike action.

Unite regional secretary Steve Hart said:

"We cannot tolerate pay freezes for these low-paid workers. Our preference is always for negotiation but we take strike action where necessary. Our negotiators and shop stewards have gone the extra mile to reach agreements but across London many public transport employers are refusing to realistically negotiate."

The garages affected are: Barking; Bow; Leyton; Romford; Upton Park and West Ham.

Photo credit: London Daily News