Bus strikes force out bonuses from under Boris's bed

Bus workers in London were voting on an offer in their fight for an Olympic bonus as Socialist Worker went to press.

The workers struck on 22 June. It made bus bosses, Transport for London (TfL) and London mayor Boris Johnson sit up and take notice of workers.

One bus worker told Socialist Worker, “The threat of more action forced their hand. They said there was no money but it turns out Boris had some under his bed.”

If they accept the offer workers would get £27.50 per shift. Unite also looks set to double strike pay for 22 June from £30 to £60.

A per duty payment would mean that the bonus a worker gets would depend on what they work over the Olympics.

Rostered

A worker who works all their rostered duties over the Olympics will get £500 before tax. But anyone who has holidays or is sick will get less.

One west London rep said, “There are people in my garage who have holidays. They are annoyed that they went on strike for £500 but won’t get it.” The dispute claim was for £500, plus £100 for the strike day.

Rank and file busworkers have to get organised to make sure the battle over bonuses is just the start of a wider war. It should kickstart a campaign against low pay and attacks on conditions.

London bus workers have a long tradition of resisting the bosses. That fighting tradition was built by a strong union with a strong rank and file.

If activists were linked up across the garages that could only strengthen the union. Workers met on Monday to discuss that organisation.