Arriva North London bus drivers cancel strikes after AC deal

Bus drivers employed by Arriva North London have cancelled further industrial action after reaching an agreement with their employer. The deal, accepted by drivers represented by Unite the Union, includes a commitment to install air conditioning on all buses by May 2027. This resolution follows several days of strikes held over the summer due to high temperatures in driver cabs.

Concerns over heat and safety

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Around 1,500 drivers had claimed Arriva North London had not adequately addressed complaints about working conditions during hot weather. Unite the Union stated that the lack of air conditioning posed risks to both drivers and the public, potentially leading to crashes due to driver heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and dehydration. During the five heatwaves experienced this year, temperatures inside some driver cabs reportedly reached 40 degrees Celsius.

The agreement was reached following negotiations between Unite and Arriva, covering drivers working on 42 services from garages including Barking, Edmonton, Enfield, and Palmers Green. The deal includes immediate improvements to driver conditions alongside the commitment to fit air conditioning.

New rules for hot weather

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A key part of the new agreement addresses the period before all buses are equipped with air conditioning. For diesel or hybrid buses where the air conditioning is not functioning, drivers will now be required to drive for a maximum of 35 minutes before the bus is stopped and returned to the garage. Unite the Union stated this means drivers will no longer be expected to continue working in excessive heat. This 35-minute rule also applies to cold weather working, a reduction from the previous one-hour requirement. For electric vehicles, the 35-minute rule is not required as their systems are expected to become effective within minutes. Any vehicle with a defective cooling or heating system must be repaired before being returned to service, ending the practice of reallocating buses with faults to other drivers.

““Unite will leave no stone unturned to fight for workers. Thank you to all our members at Arriva North who stood together to achieve this landmark win.””

Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary

Strike mandate remains

While further strike action has been cancelled, Unite the Union has confirmed that its strike mandate will remain in place for eleven months. This measure is intended to ensure Arriva North London adheres to its commitments. The union plans to conduct an ongoing audit of heating and air conditioning systems, supported by scheduled checks and timely repairs, to hold the company accountable.

Onay Kasab, Unite national lead officer, described the agreement as an excellent outcome for members, highlighting the concrete measures secured, ongoing actions for timely repairs, and the target for fitting all buses with air conditioning. He added that the result demonstrates the value of collective union action.