London bus drivers restart strike over extreme heat and delayed AC upgrades
Around 1,500 Unite members operating for Arriva in north London and Essex have begun a four-day walkout over high cabin temperatures and concerns that air-conditioning improvements will not be finished by next summer.
About 1,500 bus drivers belonging to the Unite union and employed by Arriva across north London and Essex resumed a four-day strike on Tuesday, protesting working conditions in extreme heat and the slow rollout of air-conditioning upgrades. The action follows earlier strikes on 14 and 18 August that disrupted more than 40 routes, and it occurs despite a recent deal reached between Unite and Arriva North London, which some drivers deemed insufficient.
Workers at three of eight garages voted against the latest proposal, citing cabin temperatures often above 30°C and cooling systems that only reduce heat by 2-3°C, causing fatigue, heat exhaustion and dehydration. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham warned that drivers are risking their health and urged Arriva to implement more substantial changes. Arriva London responded that it has satisfied all demands and is continuing to improve safety while upgrading the fleet’s driver-cab air-conditioning. The company, along with other transport operators, participates in Transport for London’s extreme-weather taskforce, and further strikes are planned for eight dates in September and October.
Why it matters
The walkout highlights growing worker safety concerns as heatwaves become more frequent, potentially disrupting London’s public transport.
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