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By News Editor Declan Wilkes It appears that talks to prevent tomorrow's bus strike have collapsed. Around 2,500 staff will walkout at 3am Friday in a row over pay. Central, East and West London will be severally hit. Pay parity Members of the Unite union are seeking pay parity for all bus drivers across the network which is operated by 18 separate private companies. George Dodo-Williams, Unite regional industrial organiser, said First Group had made an “unrealist pay offer”. He continued: "Negotiations have broken down and strike action will go ahead. First group are making huge profits while their workers are struggling to keep up with the rising cost of living in one of the world's most expensive cities." It means London's beleaguered commuters are faced with another strike threat only a week after 100 Bakerloo and District Line staff failed to turn up to work over a "breakdown in industrial relations" and strikes by maintenance and cleaning staff were only averted at the last minute by management cave ins. It's almost identical to the RMT's dispute with Tube Lines last week, who wanted parity with publicly owned Metronet. Another strike, a 48 hour stoppage, is scheduled for Friday 12th September.
3.5% rejected - 38 hr week demanded
Member’s resoundly rejected a 3.5% pay increase and insist on a flat annual rate of £30,000 with a 38hr week. Conditions such as sick pay, holidays and pensions are also disputed - they claim there is a £6,000 pay difference across the network for effectively the same job. Union leaders say they have been forced to take action to stake their claim for a share of the profits made off the back of their hard work. First Capital and Centrewest London Buses, which operate under First London will be effected at first with other operators balloted soon. Transport for London is again powerless to intervene in an industrial dispute that could cripple the city, despite regulating the indusrty. First London spokesman Adrian Jones called the union’s action "unrealistic."
Check below to see if your route is effected: East London
58, 67, 91, 150, 165, 179, 191, 193, 212, 215, 231, 236, 252, 259, 299, 308, 309, 323, 339, 341, 357, 365, 385, 389, 399, 476, 488, 498, D6, D7, D8, RV1, W6, W10, W11, W12 West London
9 (heritage service only), 10, 18, 23, 28, 31, 79, 83, 92, 95, 105, 187, 207, 223, 224, 226, 228, 245, 282, 295, 328, 331, 414, 427, 487, 607, A10, E1, E3, E5, E7, E9, E10, PR2, U1, U2, U3, U4, U5, U10
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