A leading trade union has warned of industrial action to prevent cuts to London’s bus network.
Unite said a consultation on proposals to cut a number of bus routes in the capital could lead to hundreds of job losses.
The union called for guarantees that jobs will not be lost and take-home pay will not fall, or it will prepare for industrial action.
London’s bus drivers fear a loss of overtime and rest day working, which is relied on to boost earnings, said Unite.
London's bus network could be hit by industrial action
Dominic Lipinski
Rail and Tube lines have already been hit by strikes
John Stillwell
General secretary Sharon Graham said: “These cuts are an attempt to make London’s bus workers pay the price for the pandemic and we reject them entirely.
“The option of Unite taking industrial action to protect our members is fully on the table.
“Bus cuts also always harm those who can least afford to lose the bus service – our poorest communities.
“The mayor and the London Assembly must firmly reject TfL (Transport for London)’s plans and stand up to the Westminster government.”
Unite also announced that bus workers employed by Arriva across the North West are preparing to ballot for industrial action in a dispute over pay.
Over 1,800 members of the union will vote in the coming weeks on whether to launch a campaign of industrial action.
It comes as half of Britain’s rail lines will be closed during strikes on June 21, 23 and 25 by the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT).
And Transport for London (TfL) has also “strongly encouraged” people not to travel on the Underground on June 21 because of a 24-hour walkout by the RMT and Unite.