Bus strikes August 2022: how much do London bus drivers earn, what is average wage, why are they striking?

Bus drivers have gone on strike in London.

It is the latest in a series of industrial action in the travel sector, which has seen tens of thousands of workers protesting pay, wages and conditions across rail and bus industries.

Trade union Unite said 1,600 drivers at bus company London United would strike on Sunday and Monday, adding disruption to services which could affect those attending the Notting Hill Carnival as it returns in person for first time since 2019.

Unite claims the dispute is a result of the workers only being offered a pay increase of 3.6% for 2022 and 4.2% for next year, saying it would be a “real terms pay cut” because the real inflation rate (RPI) stands at 12.3%.

Bus services in the capital will be affected over the coming day due to the strike.

The strikes are unlikely to be resolved anytime soon, so why exactly are workers striking? And how much does your average bus driver earn?

Here is all you need to know:

Why are bus drivers striking in London?

Unite claims the dispute is a result of the workers only being offered a pay increase of 3.6% for 2022 and 4.2% for next year, saying it would be a “real terms pay cut” because the real inflation rate (RPI) stands at 12.3%.

General secretary Sharon Graham said French firm RATP, which owns London United, was “an incredibly wealthy” company that could afford to raise wages.