Productivity talks as LIU tenders start
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UNIONS representing London Buses' platform staff are talking to management about changes in their agreements which are linked with the current wage claim.
London Buses management wants to replace safe driving and ticket bonuses with an attendance bonus and to make other changes to improve productivity. The Transport and General Workers' Union held a ballot of bus workers to give it a mandate to call for industrial action if current negotiations break down. • Management disputes claims that too few members had an opportunity to vote.
Some bus workers are also unhappy with the way the union's arguments were pre
sented before the ballot.
In particular, a suggestion that the new arrangements for bonuses would result in their being penalised for taking time off after an assault have been shown to be untrue.
However, the threat of an all-out London Buses strike is receding.
Meanwhile, the first tranche of tendered London bus services starts operating from today (Saturday).
Two of the tenders were won by independents including Len Wright Travel, which has set up a new bus operating company trading as London Buslines (see picture).
It is operating a fleet of exLondon Buses Daimler Heetlines on the 20-minute frequency route between Hounslow in West London and Slough in Berkshire on a three-year contract for an agreed contract price. All fare box revenue will be submitted to London Regional Transport.