Starting on 14 August, London will experience disruption to public transport as bus drivers have called a strike for the next couple of months.
Members of the Unite trade union working for Arriva North London have announced that strikes will take place from 14 August to 20 October, with breaks of several days between industrial action. The union said that workers were experiencing health problems due to driving in hot weather, including heat exhaustion, heatstroke and dehydration.
“Time and time again, drivers have complained to Arriva North London about working in dangerous conditions, but the company has failed to act,” said Unite general secretary Sharon Graham.
The issue of high temperatures on public transport stems from the majority of Arriva’s buses being fitted with air-cooling systems rather than air conditioning. This means that drivers were exposed to extreme temperatures during the recent spell of abnormal heat. The strike aims to ensure that all buses are fitted with effective air-conditioning systems.
In light of this, the trade union has provided drivers with an official letter which they can present to their employer when the driver’s cab becomes too hot, informing the company that the driver is ceasing work for safety reasons.
The strike will affect local bus routes in the northern and some central areas of London, Transport for London has said.
