Bus drivers strike in pay dispute

Bus workers in parts of north-west London have gone on a 24-hour strike in a dispute over pay.

The union Unite said more than 300 of its members working for operator London Sovereign in Harrow and Edgware walked out at 0300 GMT on Monday.

The union said its members earn £6,000 less than those working for other bus companies and want a pay rise.

London Sovereign said an offer worth nearly double the retail price index inflation figure had been rejected.

The company operates 12 routes throughout north-west London.

'Defend livelihoods'

Unite's James Buckley said: "Strike action is not something the bus drivers want, but they feel they have no other option.

"Our members have been more than patient and feel they have no choice but to take strike action to defend their livelihoods.

"Unite is demanding, at the very minimum, a pay rise to bring our member's pay in line with their counterparts in other London bus companies."

A spokesman for Transdev, which owns London Sovereign, said: "We have explored every avenue to reach a mutually acceptable resolution, including a mediation meeting involving Acas.

"Despite an offer nearly double the current retail price index inflation, we have been unable to gain acceptance of the offer and prevent the disruption that this action is causing to the travelling public."

The affected routes are: 13, N13, 114, 183, 292, H9, H10, H11, H13, H14, H17 and 398.