[olympiaworkers] Bus strikes in East London

Nov 9 2009 Libcom.org

Bus drivers and engineers in East London walked out today in a 24-hour
action which stopped around 750 buses and either froze or disrupted 58
routes.

The East London Bus Company employs 2,600 workers, of which all but 200
are members of the Unite Union. The union balloted its members after the
company imposed a pay freeze on its staff, claiming the recession had
forced their hand. The vote was in favour of strike action by 84%. Drivers
and engineers working out of Barking, Bow, Leyton, Romford, Upton Park and
West Ham bus garages took part in the walkout.

Though company bosses are claiming that the recession is forcing them to
impose pay freezes on staff, the East London Bus Company is owned by the
Macquarie investment bank, which openly expects to make significant
profits this year, 10% above those of the previous year. The bank has
remained profitable throughout the financial crisis.