London bus driver strikes off as deal agreed for air con in hot weather

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London bus driver strikes off as deal agreed for air con in hot weatherStrikes on Arriva bus network called off as deal agreed in dispute with driver over hot weather working conditions

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Matt Watts, News Editor1 minute ago

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Strikes by bus drivers have been called off after it agreed air conditioning would be fitted in buses to end a dispute over working in hot weather.

Around 1,500 members of Unite at Arriva North London had been due to resume industrial action on Monday as part of a series of strikes in north London and Essex.

But the union said the industrial action had been called off after a “ground-breaking” agreement including several improvements to driver conditions, such as fitting air conditioning to buses.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite is determined that the conditions of bus drivers are improved in London and beyond.

“We expect bus operators to treat workers with dignity and respect and will be ensuring that this happens.”

Unite said Arriva and Transport for London (TfL) have confirmed they will fit air conditioning to Arriva London North buses by May 2027.

At present, most buses operated by Arriva London North have air cooling systems rather than more effective air conditioning.

Air cooling is only able to reduce temperatures by around two or three degrees during heatwaves.

Unite said the agreement also limits the duration drivers must endure broken heating or cooling systems to 35 minutes before the bus is stopped and returned to the garage.

This means drivers will no longer be expected to “carry on and sweat it out”, Unite said.

This 35 minute rule will also apply to cold weather working, where previously drivers needed to be out for at least an hour if heating systems were broken.

The agreement does not mean Unite has cancelled it strike mandate, meaning its drivers can still take industrial action within the next 11 months, if “there are delays to fitting air conditioning or any defaulting on the commitment.

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