Key Points
- Over 350 workers at London Transit bus company in West London to undertake further strike action.
- Workers previously held four days of strikes earlier this autumn.
- New strike dates set for 14, 17, 18, 26, 27, and 28 November 2025.
- Striking staff include drivers, engineers, and stores workers based at Westbourne Park depot.
- The dispute stems from rejection of First Bus’s below inflation pay offer.
- Unite union general secretary Sharon Graham strongly criticises the company’s approach.
- Affected routes include 13, 23, 31, N31, 218, 295, and 452.
What Is the Latest Development in the London Transit Bus Workers’ Strike?
London Transit bus company in West London faces renewed industrial action as over 350 workers prepare to strike on multiple days in November 2025. This decision comes after workers rejected the latest pay offer from their parent company, First Bus, considering it below the inflation rate. Following four days of strikes earlier this autumn, the dispute has escalated with strike dates set for 14, 17, 18, 26, 27, and 28 November. The workers involved include drivers, engineers, and stores staff based out of the Westbourne Park depot, who operate key bus routes across South West London. The ongoing industrial action threatens significant disruption to bus services in the area.
Who Are the Workers Involved and What Are Their Grievances?
As reported by various local news sources, the workforce at the centre of the dispute consists of over 350 employees including drivers, engineers, and stores workers employed by London Transit bus company. These employees are stationed at the Westbourne Park depot in West London. The primary grievance relates to pay, with workers rejecting First Bus’s recent offer as it falls below inflation, diminishing their real income. The union representing the employees, Unite, has voiced strong condemnation of the company’s approach to the pay negotiations.
What Has the Unite Union Said About the Strike?
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham condemned the company’s handling of the pay dispute. According to a statement she made, quoted in multiple media reports, Graham said:
“This is disgraceful behaviour from a company making millions from London bus passengers. It shows an utter disregard for its workers and the hard work they do day in, day out.”
She further emphasised the union’s firm support for the striking employees:
“Our members won’t stand for such behaviour and Unite will back them all the way in this dispute with a company that has a history of anti-worker behaviour.”
How Will the Bus Services Be Affected?
The industrial action will affect several key routes operated from the Westbourne Park depot. The impacted routes include numbers 13, 23, 31, N31 (night bus), 218, 295, and 452. Passengers using these services should anticipate disruptions on all strike days—14, 17, 18, 26, 27, and 28 November—potentially compromising their daily commutes and travel plans. As the strike escalates, the potential for further disruption remains, pending any new developments in negotiations.
What Has the Parent Company First Bus Said?
As of current reporting, there has been no official statement from First Bus regarding the strike escalation or the pay offer rejection. The company is known to have substantial operations in London’s public transport sector and reportedly generates millions of pounds in revenue from London bus services. The company’s stance on the pay dispute and future negotiation plans remain closely watched by the union, workers, and passengers alike.
What Is the Background to the Pay Dispute?
The current strike action follows previous strikes earlier this autumn, where workers already took industrial action over pay. The pay offer made by First Bus, reportedly below inflation, has been the focal issue. Inflation in the UK during 2025 has remained a concern for workers across sectors, prompting unions to press employers for pay increases that reflect the rising cost of living. London Transit workers’ rejection of the offer highlights ongoing tensions between workers’ demands for fair pay and company constraints or policies.
What Are the Possible Outcomes and Next Steps?
The situation remains fluid as talks between the union and First Bus continue. The ongoing strike dates may either pressure the company into offering better terms or could lead to extended industrial action if no resolution is found. The Unite union has signalled strong support for the workers, indicating willingness to sustain efforts to achieve satisfactory pay improvements. Passengers and local stakeholders will be closely monitoring developments as the dispute unfolds, with hopes for a timely resolution to minimise public inconvenience.
