Bus drivers score big win in Olympic bonus dispute

An overwhelming majority backed a deal thrashed out following six days of talks and a 24-hour strike on June 22 that crippled bus services in the capital.

In the end the 20 private bus operators that operate the patchwork quilt of services across London agreed to cough up most of the £6.5 million required to meet the claim.

It represents a major victory for Unite the Union which has long sought to unify workers across the hotch-potch of bus privateers.

Public body Transport for London is understood to have provided the final push to the firms - which together amassed around £2 billion in profits last year - by offering a 50-50 split of increased revenue gained during the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Over £8m had already been pledged out of Olympic contingency funds.

The deal endorsed by the bulk of members today will see full-timers guaranteed at least £500 extra for working shifts during the 29 days of the Games.

And many will get more - workers will get a £27.50 windfall each time they clock on during the games, handing some drivers up to £660 in bonus.

Triumphant Unite London regional secretary Peter Kavanagh told the Morning Star that it was a "great victory for our members and a huge boost in confidence."

Mr Kavanagh said that "bus workers finally have a fair deal which recognises their contribution to keeping London moving over the Olympics."

But he added that the network had been needlessly locked down by a 24-hour strike due to the reluctance of bosses to meet for talks.

It "could have been avoided if Transport for London and the employers did the right thing when Unite first approached them almost a year ago," he said.

Bosses at the various companies finally agreed to joint negotiations after drivers backed strike action by a massive 94 per cent - with 100 per cent at Go Ahead's Dockland Buses franchise - and followed it up with the walkout.

But Mr Kavanagh added that there was still disquiet among drivers after increasingly shoddy treatment by bus firms.

"There's far bigger challenges on the horizon and with this renewed feeling of industrial strength the members are looking forward to rising to them."