Striking bus drivers say they are taking action in solidarity with new workers.

Metroline bus drivers went on strike today over issues with pay, with some Unite Union members holding a rally outside Harrow Weald bus station.

Salaries across bus companies can vary between three pay brackets, with just over £9 per hour going to workers on the lowest bracket and around £14 per hour for those paid most.

It is thought around 70 per cent of drivers across Harrow have taken strike action today.

Steve O’Rourke, Unite’s company convenor at Metroline, said: “Today is as much about protecting our pay as it is showing support for new workers. They can never get as much as those on the top pay and the companies will not meet to discuss this.

“Ideally, we would have liked not to strike – these guys are losing a day’s wages over this strike, which is always a last resort, but when the company sticks two fingers up at its workers, we feel we have no other option.”

Workers say they hope the action will result in all bus companies across London meeting to discuss calls for one salary for all workers.

Mr O’Rourke added: “We are all doing the same job. All we want is to see them all around one table, listening to their drivers.”

Mike Weston, TfL’s director of buses, said: “As the bus companies who employ the drivers have said, it makes no sense to pay all drivers precisely the same amount.  As in all professions, bus drivers have different skills and experience and it is only right that this can be reflected in pay. 

"A ‘levelling up’ of pay to the highest rates would cost around £100 million a year and would result in a cut to bus services, an increase in fares, or both.

“London has one of the best and most extensive bus networks anywhere in the world.  It would be much better if the leadership of Unite actually worked with the bus companies to ensure that it remains that way rather than disrupting bus passengers.”