East London bus strikes to hit seven routes

"Around 300 Stagecoach drivers based at Bow garage will strike from 05:00 BST on Friday until 05:00 on Saturday. The action is being taken by members of the Unite union, who say drivers are being made to cover long distances without adequate breaks between shifts, causing fatigue and increasing the risk of accidents. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham accused Stagecoach of "behaving appallingly, overworking drivers, creating a huge issue of fatigue and not giving them essential breaks"."

"A Stagecoach spokesperson said all schedules and rotas were "compiled strictly within the law that governs drivers' hours" and in line with long-standing agreements with Unite. They added that a fatigue policy was in place and said there was no reason for any driver to work when tired, "are encouraged to say if they are not safe to drive before and during all duties and are not financially penalised if they do so"."

"The strike will affect routes 8, 25, 205, 425, N8, N25 and N205. Transport for London (TfL) said the 25 and 425 were expected to run a near-normal service for most of the day. The N8 will run a reduced route between Hainault and Liverpool Street at its usual frequency. The remaining routes are "likely to be severely delayed and subject to cancellations", TfL said."

"Friday's walkout follows earlier strikes on 19-22 March, 17 April and 24 April. The bus strike is separate from the planned London Underground strikes by RMT members, due to take place between 19 and 22 May."

Around 300 Stagecoach drivers at Bow garage will strike from 05:00 BST on Friday until 05:00 on Saturday. The walkout is taken by Unite members over claims that drivers are required to cover long distances without adequate breaks between shifts, leading to fatigue and raising accident risk. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham accuses Stagecoach of overworking drivers and failing to provide essential breaks. A Stagecoach spokesperson says schedules and rotas follow legal drivers’ hours rules and long-standing agreements with Unite, and that a fatigue policy exists. TfL expects routes 25 and 425 to run near normally for most of the day, while the N8 will run a reduced route between Hainault and Liverpool Street. Other affected routes are likely to face severe delays and cancellations. The strike follows earlier strikes in March and April and is separate from planned London Underground strikes in May.

Read at www.bbc.com