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From The Socialist newspaper, 14 April 2021
Thousands of London bus workers strike across multiple companies
London bus strikers February 2021, photo London SP (Click to enlarge)
4,000 London bus drivers have voted overwhelmingly for strike action over remote sign-on policy. 96% of Unite members at Metroline West and 97% at Metroline Travel voted for industrial action on routes in north and west London. Strike dates will be announced soon.
Remote sign-on means drivers do not report to a depot to start work, but meet their bus and begin work at an alternative location such as a bus stop. Remote sign-on forces drivers to start work away from the depot, reducing costs and boosting the company's profits.
Metroline has only "paused" its introduction of the practice. Unite points out that forcing drivers to start work away from depots is designed to reduce costs, with staff also facing a lack of toilet and canteen access, increased working hours and waiting for buses in unpredictable weather.
Regional Unite officer Mary Summers said it was "very disappointing" that the company had not ruled out introducing the policy: "London bus drivers have delivered a massive mandate for strike action. This unpopular policy should be jettisoned immediately," she demanded.
Meanwhile in west and south London, bus drivers for outsourced bus operating company RATP on the London United fleet have been striking over attacks on pay and conditions.
Stamford Brook and Hounslow Heath garages have voted to join the strike, meaning all seven of London United's garages are on strike.
The strike is over bosses' plans to cut pay despite the company having an annual turnover of over £4.3 billion.
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In The Socialist 14 April 2021:
Covid-19
'Covid passports' discriminatory and questionable - fight for workplace safety
Covid inquiry? Workers must decide
News
Tensions escalate in Northern Ireland
How to deal with the tax-dodging mega-rich? Nationalise!
NHS pay: reject Tories' miserly 1% 'offer' - Fight for full 15% rise
Tory hypocrisy over housing benefit cut
US cops shoot dead another black man
Elections
Every voter in Wales has the opportunity to vote for TUSC
TUSC: Launching a working-class electoral alternative in London
London housing crisis: vote TUSC to fight back
Workplace news
PCS elections: Support the Broad Left Network for a democratic, fighting union leadership
St Mungo's maintenance workers on indefinite strike
Thousands of London bus workers strike across multiple companies
Rally for sacked RMT rep Declan
East London cleaners fight outsourcing and redundancies
Bristol Water workers walk out
SPS Technologies workers end strike after management backs down
Thurrock Council workers strike against pay cuts
Deliveroo workers strike and protest
Lessons from history
1920s-30s Britain: A working-class movement fighting unemployment and capitalism
Campaigns news
Students in action: Protest on 21 April
Why you should join the Socialist Party
Cardiff: Hundreds protest to free Siyanda
Fighting fund target smashed. Can we do it again?
Readers' opinion
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2021