Drivers at Stamford Brook Garage spoke to David Hofman, West London Socialist Party.
Bus drivers in West London, members of Unite employed by First Bus, were on strike over pay for 48 hours at the end of August into September.
“We’re on £19 per hour. We’re asking for £20. We’re not asking for much – other companies are paying £21 or £22. We’re one of the lowest-paid garages. This offer won’t offset the rise in the cost of living. I did an ordinary food shop last week and it came to £50 – I couldn’t believe it. I’m already working a six-day week, now I’m going to have to work six and a half.”
One striker explained: “They’re trying to cut our break times to the minimum. The current ‘stand times’ (the interval between reaching route end and starting back) are being cut just to make money. On some routes there are no toilets at either end. Bus driving in London has become more stressful, with increased traffic jams and cycle lanes to look out for. We have passengers who are stressed themselves, and we have to put up with abusive behaviour.”
“The stand time needs to be rebranded as a safety break”, another added. “If I’ve been driving for an hour, my legs are aching from sitting in the same position all this time. I need to be able to stand up, stretch myself, take a walk. When the stand time is cut, it increases blood pressure and blood sugar levels. Bus drivers, I was told, are the number one profession accounting for the increase in diabetes type-2 diagnosis.”
One striker told me: “They treat us like numbers. They’re trying to get rid of senior drivers, who are on higher rates, for new trainees, who have to work two and a half years on the minimum rate.”
“We voted Labour expecting change,” another said. “But nothing’s changed. Bus companies should not be run privately – the owners think only of their money. The bus industry should be owned by the people for the people.”
Drivers have given notice that they will be out again 11-14 September if this is not resolved.