A bus strike that threatened to bring large parts of London’s transport network to a standstill this weekend has been largely called off, the Unite union confirmed on Wednesday.
Drivers, engineers, and controllers at London United and London Transit had been preparing for three days of industrial action from 05:00 BST on Friday, 12 September, until the evening of Sunday, 14 September. Around 60 bus routes in north-west and south-west London were due to be affected.
The strike was part of an ongoing dispute over pay and conditions between workers and their employers, both subsidiaries of First Bus. However, the majority of Unite members due to strike—those employed by London United—accepted a new pay offer and subsequently cancelled their planned walkout.
Unite hailed the offer as a significant improvement that would provide much-needed relief for members struggling with the rising cost of living. Negotiations with London Transit are still continuing, meaning some disruption could remain for a smaller number of routes if no agreement is reached before Friday.
The bus routes likely to be affected include 13/N13, 23/N23, 31/N31, 218, 295/N295, and 452, all serving areas of central, west, and north-west London. Commuters have been urged to check for updates before travelling.
First Bus, which owns both operators, said it had put forward an above-inflation pay rise, including full back pay for all affected employees.
A spokesperson said: “Our employees are at the heart of everything we do, and the above-inflation offer, which includes full back pay for all colleagues, demonstrates our commitment to supporting our people through the ongoing cost-of-living pressures while balancing the financial challenges we face as a business.”
The timing of the planned bus strikes had raised concerns as they followed days of widespread transport disruption across the capital. Thousands of members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union staged walkouts this week, causing severe delays and cancellations across the London Underground. Many Londoners faced long queues, crowded buses, and increased reliance on alternative transport during the RMT action.
With the latest breakthrough, most London bus services are now expected to run normally, providing some relief to weary commuters who had been bracing for another weekend of travel chaos. However, the risk of partial strikes remains unless Unite and London Transit reach a final settlement.
Transport analysts say the wave of disputes highlights the pressure facing public service workers across the UK as inflation and rising living costs continue to fuel industrial action.
“While this resolution will be welcomed by passengers, it reflects a broader trend where workers in essential services are increasingly unwilling to absorb financial pressures without improved pay,” one commentator noted.
For now, Londoners can expect buses on most routes to operate as scheduled this weekend, though the possibility of disruption on select services remains until ongoing talks are resolved.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
