London, England: Bus drivers threatens to strike due to pay demands

London bus drivers have raised the threat of industrial action over the Olympic Games with a favourable vote to strike if they don’t get a £500 bonus for working during the period. Unite union members voted nine to one for the industrial action, with just 38% of members participating. The union is pressing for the bonus, which would cost bus operators some £14 million for 20,000 bus staff. This comes as the city expects 800,000 more people to use the buses over the period. The strike will allow Unite to set a date for industrial action, but it hasn’t yet. The union said it was giving the 21 bus operators a last chance to think about the overwhelming favour resulting from the ballot before they announce any possible strike dates this week. Read article