Arriva London bus drivers end strike threat after AC deal
New agreement limits time drivers must work with faulty heating or cooling systems to 35 minutes.
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Bus drivers employed by Arriva London North have called off planned industrial action after reaching a new agreement concerning working conditions during extreme temperatures. The deal, secured by the Unite union, includes the installation of air conditioning in some buses by May 2027. This development follows previous industrial action taken by drivers over the summer due to hot weather.
Drivers based at depots including Barking, Edmonton, Enfield, Grays, Palmers Green, Stamford Hill, Tottenham, and Wood Green participated in strikes last month. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham stated that the agreement ensures drivers will no longer be expected to continue working in uncomfortably hot conditions. The union described the outcome as a significant victory for its members.
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New working condition limits
A key provision of the new agreement is a limit on the time drivers must operate a bus with a malfunctioning heating or cooling system. Under the terms, drivers are now required to endure such conditions for a maximum of 35 minutes before the vehicle must be stopped and returned to the garage. This contrasts with previous arrangements where drivers might have had to work for at least an hour in cold weather with a faulty heating system.
For electric vehicles, the 35-minute stipulation is not expected to be a factor, as their climate control systems are designed to be effective within minutes. The agreement also mandates that any vehicle with a defect in its cooling or heating system must be fully repaired before being put back into service, rather than being reassigned to another driver.
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During recent heatwaves in London, some drivers reported that temperatures inside their cabs reached as high as 50C. The new measures aim to prevent such extreme conditions from recurring. Arriva and Transport for London have confirmed the commitment to fit air conditioning units, with a target completion date of May 2027.
Following the successful negotiation, strikes that were scheduled to commence on 7 September have been cancelled. The agreement provides a framework for addressing driver concerns regarding temperature regulation in bus cabs throughout the year.
Questions this report answers
+When will air conditioning be fitted to London buses?
Air conditioning will be installed in some Arriva London North buses by May 2027. This is part of a new agreement reached between the Unite union and the bus operator following industrial action.
+How long can drivers work with broken heating or cooling systems?
Drivers can now work with a faulty heating or cooling system for a maximum of 35 minutes before the bus must be taken out of service. This applies to both hot and cold weather conditions.
+What caused the bus drivers to take industrial action?
Drivers took industrial action due to concerns over working conditions during hot weather. Some drivers reported cab temperatures reaching up to 50C during recent heatwaves, leading to the dispute.
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