Fight Fatigue Now!
Roadshow to highlight bus driver fatigue
Reading time: 4 min
Unite is hitting the road today (27 July) as part of the unions campaign to highlight how bus driver fatigue in London is putting passengers, pedestrians and workers at risk – and it is encouraging everyone to find out more.
Unite’s campaign bus will be traveling around the capital all week and will be handing out campaign materials for bus workers to take back to their garages, talking to members and drivers, and providing new opportunities to get involved in the fight against fatigue on London’s buses.
The Unite branded bus will be at the following locations, so keep an eye out and find out more about the campaign to support bus drivers health, and keep the streets of London safe.
West London: Monday 27 July
Start: Clapham Unite Office, Falcon Road (10:30am) → Institute of Cancer Research picket, Chelsea (11:30am) → Westbourne Park Bus Garage (12:30pm) → White City Bus Stand (1:30pm) → Southall Broadway (3:00pm) → Transport UK / First Bus Fulwell Garage (4:00pm) → End: Clapham Junction (5:00pm).
North London: Tuesday 28 July
Start: Palestra, TfL Headquarters, Southwark (10:30am) → Finsbury Park Station (12:45pm) → Stamford Hill Bus Garage (1:30pm) → Tottenham Hale Bus Garage (2:00pm) → End: Wood Green Bus Garage (3:00pm).
East London: Thursday 30 July
Start: Canning Town Bus Station (1:00pm) → Beckton Bus Station (2:00pm) → End: Stratford Bus Station (4:00pm)
South London: Friday 31 July
Start: New Cross Bus Garage and bus stands (8:30am) → Peckham (9:00am) → Camberwell Green (9:30am) → Denmark Hill (10:15am) → Brixton Bus Garage and stand (11:15am) → Norwood (12:15pm) → Crystal Palace (1:15pm) → End: West Croydon Bus Station (2:00pm).
Unite’s main campaign demands
- Introduce fatigue management into the TfL buses, for example stop disciplining drivers for fatigue, and agreements for drivers who currently have to drive the bus in heatwaves with no air-con.
- Establish consistency across scheduling and rosters, such as a minimum of 12 hour breaks between duties and consistent start times to combat fatigue.
- Improve rest, toilet and welfare facilities, Unite’s poll found 52 per cent of London bus drivers had poor facilities at work, yet some drivers still have breaks by the side of the road.
Unite regional officer Nadine Edwards said: “The impact of fatigue on London bus drivers is undeniable and needs to be urgently acted on. Previous action that has been taken by TfL and the bus companies has been pitiful – to the point where the situation has got worse.”
“Actual change will only come about from listening to bus drivers who experience this day in, day out. TfL and the bus companies must work with Unite to implement our demands, otherwise this situation will continue to put workers and the public at risk.”
Bus drivers in the capital have already taken strike action over the issue as Unite Live reported in April and May this year.
By Keith Hatch
