Arriva North London bus drivers to strike over heat conditions

More than 1,500 bus drivers employed by Arriva North London are scheduled to participate in a series of strikes across 26 dates between August and October. The industrial action, organized by the Unite union, affects approximately 42 bus routes across north London and Essex.

The dispute centers on working conditions during extreme heat. The union claims that many buses are equipped only with air cooling systems that merely circulate outside air, rather than effective air conditioning. This has reportedly led to temperatures reaching 40C in driver cabs, causing health issues such as heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and dehydration.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham stated that the company must prioritize these issues as summers become hotter, noting that “no worker should be made ill by their job.” Drivers have also raised concerns regarding the lack of adequate toilet facilities on certain routes.