“No choice” but to strike

Over 1,500 Arriva North London bus drivers started industrial action today (14 August) over hot weather working, as yesterday saw the hottest day of the year in the UK, a scorching 38.1C, recorded at Kew Gardens less than 20 miles from their garages.

The drivers, who work at eight bus garages across North and East London and Essex, are taking multiple days of action over the employer’s failure to act on improving working conditions during hot weather.

Since Wednesday this week the UK has melted under the fifth heatwave of the summer so far, with London seeing temperatures regularly soar above 30 degrees. 

Working in these conditions is very dangerous for bus drivers, whose cabs can reach highs of over 40 degrees which can cause health issues including heatstroke and exhaustion, fatigue, dehydration and dizziness.

Drivers have been joined on the picket line by members from other sectors who fully understand the impact heat can have on the working environment. 

Members from the London Building Workers Branch stood in solidarity with drivers at the Wood Green Bus Depot, while trade unions members from unions and branches across the area showed their support.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The heatwave this week has caused even more problems for our members at Arriva North London, who have once again faced doing a demanding job in unbearable conditions.

“No worker should be made ill by their job. This problem is raised year after year and as the summers get hotter it can no longer be swept under the carpet. Arriva can afford to act on this serious issue, which puts both drivers and the general public at risk and it must make this a priority.”

Most buses operated by Arriva North London have air cooling systems rather than more effective air conditioning. During heatwaves such as the one experienced by Londoners this week, air cooling only manages to reduce temperatures by around two or three degrees, meaning buses are still unbearably hot for drivers and passengers.

Drivers at Arriva North London have told Unite of the impact of the heatwaves. One driver was even signed off for five days after suffering heatstroke during the late June heatwave. 

One driver said: “The buses don’t have air conditioning. They think by putting a little fan in the cab helps – it doesn’t, the cab’s temperature is hotter than being outside. Something needs to be done. I have suffered with migraines and when it’s hot they get worse.”

Drivers taking action at Arriva North London work at the following garages: Barking, Edmonton, Enfield, Grays, Palmers Green, Stamford Hill, Tottenham and Wood Green. 

They believe Arriva North London has not taken their concerns about hot weather working seriously, meanwhile Unite representatives and members have also been bullied by Arriva North London management when they have raised concerns about working conditions.

The industrial action is taking place over 26 days from today until October, with dates highlighted here.

Industrial action will lead to significant delays and cancellations of bus services in London, while the actions on 18 to 21 August, 25 to 28 August and some of September will take place at the same time as planned closures for engineering works on the Piccadilly Line.

Unite regional officer Steve Stockwell said: “The high temperatures this week have created even more misery for drivers at Arriva North London, who have spent the whole summer struggling to work in dangerous conditions.

“They have raised concerns multiple times but these are not being listened to by management, so our members have no choice but to press ahead with this highly disruptive industrial action. Unite is willing to come back to the table, but that relies on Arriva North London management implementing meaningful changes so our drivers can do their jobs safely in hot weather.”

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 has 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