More than 1,500 drivers at eight Arriva North London bus garages will begin strike action on Friday 14th August in a dispute over working conditions in hot weather, with the action expected to run for two months and affect 42 bus services across London.
Unite members say Arriva has failed to address driver complaints about inadequate cooling on its buses. The union says air cooling systems have brought temperatures down by only two to three degrees during summer heatwaves, with driver cabs reaching 40 degrees on the hottest days.
Unite argues those conditions carry safety risks for drivers and passengers alike, pointing to heat exhaustion, heat stroke and an increased risk of crashes.
Strike dates run from mid-August through to October, falling on a mix of weekends and weekdays rather than in one continuous block. Affected services include routes 19, 29, 34, 41, 66, 67 and 76 among numerous others, alongside night services.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "A profitable company such as Arriva could easily invest in improving conditions for its drivers and protecting the general public but is instead prioritising greed."
Transport for London said it is working on "a range of measures" to improve driver conditions and vehicle safety, and emphasised its commitment to fair work schedules and safe vehicles.
The staggered pattern of dates means disruption is likely to arrive in waves rather than all at once — worth factoring in for anyone planning journeys on the affected routes over the coming weeks.
