Planned bus strike in south west London suspended after new pay offer

The news will come as a relief to bus passengers across south west London
A bus strike in south west London has been called off
Abellio

A planned strike by bus workers has been called off after a new pay offer was made.

A spokesperson for the union Unite said the industrial action, which would have seen 40 control room staff based in Battersea and Twickenham walk off the job from May 8, has been suspended. They said the improved offer came after “extensive negotiations” and will now be voted on by its members.

Unite regional official Maxine Loza said: “Transport UK has come forward with a new pay offer that will now be put to a ballot of our members.

“As a goodwill gesture, Unite is suspending the planned industrial action that was due to begin next week."

The strike by staff working for the firm, which was previously known as Abellio, was planned for May 8-10 and May 13-17.

The routes that would have been affected are primarily in south and south west London and include: 24, 27, 111, 156, 159, 267, 285, 322, 344, 345, 415, 490, 969, H20, H25, H26, R68 and the R70.

The workers, who instruct drivers on potential traffic jams or accidents, previously went on strike for nine days in March.

The union originally said its members had been offered just a five per cent pay increase which it called a substantial real terms pay cut as inflation stood at 13.4 per cent last January when the pay rise was due. 

A spokesperson for Transport UK London Bus said: “"We are pleased that the strikes planned by Unite for May for our bus Controller and Officials staff groups within Transport UK London Bus have been cancelled. After further negotiations, we now have an offer that is recommended for acceptance by Unite"