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A union has announced that 1,600 London bus drivers will walk out at the end of this month in a row over pay at the same time as a Tube strike.
The drivers, who are members of the Unite union and employees of London United, will be on strike on Friday 19 August and Saturday 20 August.
The strike’s first day coincides with strikes announced for London Underground and Overground staff, heaping transport misery on commuters.
United general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The workers’ parent company, RATP, is fabulously rich and can afford to pay our members a decent pay rise.
“Unite members play a crucial role in keeping London moving and they will not accept to see their pay steadily eroded.
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“Unite does what it says on the union tin and always stands up for the jobs, pay and conditions of its members. Our London United members will receive the full support of the union until this dispute is resolved and a fair pay offer is achieved.”
The strike action will affect workers based in Fulwell, Hounslow, Hounslow Heath, Park Royal, Shepherd’s Bush, Stamford Brook and Tolworth.
The union said the company was offering a pay rise of 3.6 per cent in 2022 and 4.2 per cent next year, which it described as a pay cut in real terms due to the rate rise of inflation
On the same day, August 19, workers on the London Underground and Overground network are also due to strike for 24 hours in separate disputes.
The RMT union said Tube workers will walk out over a pension dispute, while Overground workers employed by Arriva Rail London will strike over pay.
He said this means around 10,000 Tube workers will walk out and almost 400 workers will down tools at Arriva Rail London.
Meanwhile, the TSSA union said thousands of its General Grade and Controller members on the rail network would also strike on Thursday 18 and Saturday 20 August.
A TfL spokesman said: “The strikes are bad news for everyone, and we urge Unite and RATP to reach an agreement and avoid the need for industrial action.”
RATP, the parent company of London United, has been contacted for comment.