Keeping cool

Unite members at Arriva North London have won a groundbreaking agreement to improve the working conditions of drivers, including the installation of air conditioning, after taking industrial action.

The 1,500 drivers, based at Barking, Edmonton, Enfield, Grays, Palmers Green, Stamford Hill, Tottenham and Wood Green, took industrial action last month over hot weather working conditions.

However, strikes which were due to start again from today (7 September) have been called off after the drivers voted to accept a new deal following negotiations between Unite and Arriva.

The deal includes several improvements to driver conditions. In particular, Arriva and Transport for London (TfL) have confirmed they will fit air conditioning to Arriva London North buses by May 2027.

At present, most buses operated by Arriva London North have air cooling systems rather than more effective air conditioning. Air cooling is only able to reduce temperatures by around two or three degrees during heatwaves.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite will leave no stone unturned to fight for workers. Thank you to all our members at Arriva North who stood together to achieve this landmark win.

“Unite is determined that the conditions of bus drivers are improved in London and beyond. We expect bus operators to treat workers with dignity and respect and will be ensuring that this happens.”

Importantly, agreement has been reached to deal with the period while the works take place so that if air conditioning is not working on a diesel or hybrid bus, drivers at Arriva North London will only need to complete 35 minutes of driving before the bus is stopped and returned to the respective garage.

This means drivers will no longer be expected to carry on and sweat it out. This 35 minute rule will also apply to cold weather working, where previously drivers needed to be out for at least an hour.

The agreement means that for electric vehicles the 35 minutes will not be required as systems should be effective within a few minutes. The agreement stipulates that any vehicle with a defect on the cooling / heating system must be repaired before returning to service. This will end the current situation where defective buses are returned only to be allocated to another driver.

It has been agreed that Unite will not cancel its strike mandate, which will be in place for 11 months. This will allow Unite to hold Arriva to account should it renege on commitments or there are delays to fitting air conditioning or any defaulting on the commitment to a “robust ongoing audit of heating and aircon systems through the year supported with scheduled bi-weekly run out checks and repairs carried out in a timely fashion”.

Unite national lead officer Onay Kasab said: “This is an excellent win for our members, who stood together on picket lines to fight for and win an agreement that means that drivers are not simply expected to sweat it out.

“We have secured an agreement with concrete immediate measures, ongoing action to ensure repairs are carried out in a timely fashion and a target for fitting all buses with air conditioning. Unite members have once again shown the value of collective union action.” 

Unite Live has been highlighting the huge impact the worsening climate crisis is having on workers, and Unite has been calling for a maximum working temperature.

Unite had also been working extensively with drivers to support them during the hot weather, including providing drivers with an official letter that they can show their employer when conditions become too hot in drivers’ cabs, informing the company that the driver is stopping work for safety reasons.

London mayor Sadiq Khan has backed Unite’s letter, saying he has told bus companies and Transport for London that drivers have a right to stop work during the heatwave.

By Keith Hatch