London’s buses could face disruption on the same days as planned Underground strikes, after a second union launched a ballot for industrial action against Transport for London.
Unite, which represents bus station and network traffic controllers employed by TfL, has begun a formal vote on strike action in a separate dispute over roster changes. The ballot closes on 13 April, and the union has warned that any resulting walkouts could fall on the same dates already earmarked by the RMT for Tube driver strikes later in the spring and summer.
A Second Front Opens Up
RMT members on the Underground are already scheduled to strike for two days each in April, May and June over a row about proposals to introduce a condensed four-day working week for drivers. Those dates were confirmed after the union suspended planned late-March walkouts following what it described as progress in talks with London Underground management.
Now Unite has signalled it may add a further layer of disruption. The workers being balloted are bus station staff and network traffic controllers — roles the union says are essential to keeping bus passengers safe and services operating smoothly across the capital.
Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham said the dispute centres on roster changes she described as severely damaging to members’ work-life balance, and which she said could leave workers at risk of disciplinary action for circumstances outside their control. She added that TfL must reverse course or face a significant strike, and pledged the union’s full backing to its members.
What Happens Next
The outcome of the ballot will be known after 13 April. If members vote in favour, Unite would then be in a position to call strike dates — with the union having already flagged the possibility of timing action to coincide with the RMT’s existing schedule. TfL has not yet publicly responded to Unite’s announcement. Commuters in London are being advised to keep a close eye on travel updates over the coming weeks as both disputes develop.
