London bus workers are meeting
up with operators London United and First Group today to negotiate for a
38-hour week.
Members of the TGWU are calling
for a reduction in working hours and a £9 an hour pay rate for bus drivers.
"The momentum is up for a
‘Pay up! Hours down’ campaign to reverse the decline in bus workers’ standard
of living, " said Tom Scanlon, T&G regional industrial organiser.
Local organisers have made it
clear that the London Mayor’s bonus payment is separate to the negotiations.
"That is an entirely separate payment to recognise that bus drivers are
underpaid and undervalued," added Scanlon.
The T&G campaign follows on
the launch of the London Bus Workers’ charter with Mayor Ken Livingstone last
week.
By Karen Higginbottom
