Drivers picket in Harrow and Edgware over pay dispute

12:14pm Monday 5th January 2009

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BUS drivers have pledged to continue striking until their pay demands are met, as more than 300 walk out in Harrow and Edgware.

Workers for London Sovereign are angry at their pay deals, which are thousands of pounds lower than drivers at other companies in the capital.

The drivers went on a 24-hour strike this morning at 3am, causing the cancellation of 12 routes for the day.

They are currently picketing outside the Harrow and Edgware depots, waving flags and banners in support of the campaign for all bus drivers in London to receive equal pay and benefits.

Abd Mohamoud, 45, has been a driver for the company for ten years and saw London Sovereign being taken over by Transdev London five years ago.

He is on the picket line at the Harrow depot, in Pinner Road, this morning and is angry about the company not meeting the drivers' demands.

He said: “This is one of the best garages in London, in terms of attendance and customer satisfaction.

“But they don't want to pay us for the work we do. It's a crazy system they have and it's not fair.”

This strike is the latest held by members of Unite, the union which represents 28,000 bus drivers and workers across London.

It has been fighting for equal pay across the capital and a fairer system for tendering bus contracts to avoid wages being slashed by bus operators.

Peter Kavanagh, senior regional organiser for Unite, said members would continue to strike until their demands over the pay system are met.

He said: “All the money comes from the same pot but we still have disparity between drivers who do the same routes, take the same passengers and face the same problems.

“There is a race to the bottom going on, with companies trying to retain tenders and the easy option is to attack drivers' pay and conditions.

“These guys here are right at the bottom of the league, they are paid less than their sister company London United.

“It is time to say enough is enough and stand up and fight for what we deserve.”

Steffan Evans, spokesman for Transdev London, said the company had tried to negotiate with the union, but had not been able to come to an agreement.

He said: “We have explored every avenue to reach a mutually acceptable resolution.

“Despite an offer nearly double current retail price index inflation, we have been unable to gain acceptance of the offer and prevent the serious disruption that this action is causing to the traveling public.”

The affected routes, which will not be in operation until tomorrow morning, are: 13 114 183 292 398 H9 H10 H11 H13 H14 H17 and N13.