London TfL bus strikes 2024: Dates and routes affected as eight days of control staff action announced

Bus controllers in south London have announced eight days of walkouts in May over pay.

Around 40 Unite members working in Twickenham and Battersea for Transport UK - formerly called Abellio - are set to strike from May 8-10 and 13-17.

The workers control the bus routes, instruct drivers on traffic jams or accidents, and ensure overall safety on the routes.

Transport for London (TfL) says all routes impacted (list below) will run but that passengers are advised to allow extra time for their journeys and to check before they travel.

Unite says control room staff have been offered a pay rise for 2023 well below inflation and that Workers “already earn approximately £10,000 per year less than similar staff at other bus companies”.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Transport UK has hundreds of millions of pounds of revenue from lucrative London bus contracts and yet it is trying to short-change some of its most vital staff. It needs to understand our members won’t stand for it.”

Unite regional officer Maxine Loza said: “Transport UK’s refusal to deliver a vastly improved offer will cause traffic chaos for Londoners.

“Without these vital workers, buses don't run on time and driver and passenger safety is jeopardised. Yet by refusing to come back with an improved offer, Transport UK are showing just how little they value their staff."

A spokesperson for Transport UK said: 'We have negotiated with Unite since April 2023 regarding pay for its members in our controller and officials staff groups. It is disappointing to see Unite take unnecessary strike action following an improved offer of a 7% salary increase for 2023, back paid to January 2023, followed by a 3% rise for 2024, back paid to January 2024. This offer is in line with increases made to other groups of staff within the business.

“We have mitigation plans in place for the upcoming strikes and are working with TfL to ensure Londoners can continue to travel during this needless action. During previous action services ran as normal."

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A TfL spokesperson said: "We encourage Unite and Transport UK to find a solution to this dispute. If this action goes ahead, bus services will still be available during strike days, but routes may be busier than normal.

“We’re encouraging everyone who might be affected to plan ahead, allow extra time for their journeys and check before they travel using our website or the TfL Go app.”

Bus strikes routes affected

The routes affected by industrial action are primarily in south and southwest London. They include:

• 24
• 27
• 111
• 156
• 159
• 267
• 285
• 322
• 344
• 345
• 415
• 490
• 969
• H20
• H25
• H26
• R68
• R70