London bus strike: "Showing them our power"

London bus strike, photo Paul Mattsson

The first round of London bus strikes on 29 August was confined to First bus company and mainly affected north London routes. By the time the dust had settled and round two began on 12 September, the strike had spread to Metro bus routes all the way south to Croydon.

Neil Cafferky

Despite the fact that the Metro depot is sandwiched between a sewage treatment plant and a rubbish tip, picketers from Unite branch 1/345 were in an optimistic mood.

Management looked on sullenly as every third or fourth car passing the gates honked their horn in support.

Workers from other companies gathered at the entrance to their workplaces and nodded with approval at the sight of a picket that included at least 30-40 workers at any time.

London bus strike, photo Paul Mattsson

The picket was well organised with a barbecue almost blocking out the smell from the rest of the industrial estate. And the depot entrance was decorated with Unite banners and balloons.

Although the immediate issue in the strike was pay, a branch rep pointed out that the working conditions endured by the drivers was a big factor in pushing the branch to vote for industrial action.

Toilet and break facilities are completely inadequate, with the branch rep reporting that three drivers have actually soiled themselves while on duty.

The canteen, such as it is, has seating for ten people despite having 320 drivers.

London bus strike, photo Paul Mattsson

The branch rep pointed out that the meanness of Metrobus towards its staff was allowing the company to pocket extra profits and win more contracts from Transport for London. "We would like to see all London buses back under the umbrella of Transport for London", he said.

There was also strong criticism of the Labour Party, with some strikers reacting with disbelief when they read Socialist Party leaflets headlining the fact that Unite gave £1.2 million to the Labour Party last year.

Many on the picket said they looked forward to an all-London strike of bus workers.