London bus workers go on strike

Commuters in London face travel chaos today (Friday 22 June) as thousands of bus workers go on strike.

Members of the Unite union at 17 bus companies want a £500 payment for working during the Olympics.

Three companies - Arriva, Metroline and London General - won an injunction in the High Court preventing their Unite members from going on strike.

But the strike will affect the following companies: London United, London Sovereign, Stagecoach East, Stagecoach Rainham, Stagecoach Selkent, Arriva North, Arriva South, First Capital, First Centre West, London Central, Abellio West, Abellio South, Metrobus, Docklands, Blue Triangle, CT Plus and Arriva Southern Counties.

Up to 85% of the total workforce are expected to be involved in the action.

Unite has blamed the disruption on Transport for London (TfL) and the bus operators for failing to negotiate a meaningful settlement.

London mayor Boris Johnson said he was saddened that union leaders and the private bus companies had failed to reach agreement.