Bus Drivers Across the UK Prepare for Strike Action Over Pay Dispute

Bus drivers across several UK cities are preparing for strike action as a row over pay and conditions escalates. Thousands of drivers represented by Unite the Union are either striking or being balloted, raising the prospect of widespread disruption to public transport services and additional costs for taxpayers who already subsidise networks heavily.

Unite, which represents around 7,500 bus workers, has confirmed that its members are taking action or considering strikes across multiple locations, including Birkenhead, Brighton, Bristol, Cardiff, Chorley, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Preston, Stoke and Swindon. The dispute centres on pay settlements, backdated wages and shift-work premiums, with drivers arguing that current offers fail to match the rising cost of living while operators warn that rising demands must be balanced against already high operating expenses.

In London, nearly 2,000 drivers, engineers and controllers have voted to strike. The action is directed at two major operators, London United and London Transit, both owned by First Bus. Unite says the dispute has been fuelled by the companies’ refusal to backdate certain pay elements to December last year and by changes affecting shift pay. Strikes are scheduled to take place on 29 August and 1 September, affecting 71 routes in west and southwest London. Travel during peak periods, including the school return, is expected to be disrupted and families reliant on bus travel could face significant inconvenience.

Unite’s general secretary, Sharon Graham, has criticised the companies, accusing them of failing to recognise the commitment of staff. She said the refusal to backdate pay was unacceptable and pledged that the union would not back down until members received what she described as a fair deal. The operators, meanwhile, have said they are continuing discussions and aim to minimise the impact on passengers, but no agreement has yet been reached amid warnings that extended strike action could damage both revenue and long-term service reliability.

The unrest is not confined to the capital. In the North West, around 500 drivers employed by Stagecoach in Birkenhead, Chorley and Preston are being balloted for strike action. Unite says the drivers are paid significantly less than colleagues in nearby areas, describing the difference as unjustified. The union argues that the pay gap has created resentment among staff and is pressing for parity. If drivers in these towns vote in favour, services in the region could face major disruption with knock-on effects for commuters and local businesses.

The dispute highlights wider issues in the public transport sector, where rising operational costs and staff shortages have placed pressure on services. Drivers have voiced frustration at what they see as employers failing to keep pace with inflation and not addressing concerns over long hours and changing shift patterns. Critics, however, argue that frequent strike threats undermine public confidence and impose additional strain on communities who rely on already subsidised routes. The union is using coordinated action to increase pressure on operators, pointing to high passenger demand as evidence of the essential nature of the service provided.

Talks between Unite and the companies involved are ongoing, but the union has warned that without meaningful progress the strikes will go ahead. Commuters in the affected areas are being advised to prepare for significant disruption to bus travel in the coming weeks as ministers face renewed pressure to ensure essential services are protected from repeated industrial action.