By Megan Howe

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More than 350 bus workers are set to strike today after rejecting the latest pay offer from their employer, with multiple routes expected to be disrupted.

Drivers, engineers, and storemen employed by the London Transit bus company will take industrial action today (Friday) and Monday next week, following a breakdown in negotiations with First Bus.

According to Unite the union, workers are “furious” over the below-inflation pay offer they have received from their employer First Bus.

Unite claims the pay offer fails to reflect living costs or the essential work staff carry out.

The strike will affect routes operating from the Westbourne Park depot, including: 13, 23, 31, N31, 218, 295, and 452.

The workforce previously staged a two-day walkout earlier this autumn.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This is disgraceful behaviour from a company making millions from London bus passengers. It shows an utter disregard for its workers and the hard work they do day in, day out.

“Our members won’t stand for such behaviour and Unite will back them all the way in this dispute with a company that has a history of anti-worker behaviour.”

Unite regional officer Callum Rochford said: “Our members do an incredibly difficult job – whether it’s driving buses in rush hour in London or keeping those buses operational. Yet their employer is trying to force an effective pay cut in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis.

“Workers won’t stand for this. London Transit need to come back to the table, pay what’s right and end this dispute now.”

Strikes by sister company London United have ended after an agreement was reached.

A spokesperson for First Bus London said: “We are disappointed with the ballot result and the decision to reject our pay offer. It is our expectation that strike action will proceed on 26th and 29th of September. Strikes will cause inconvenience to the public and loss of earnings for our hard-working employees.

“Our enhanced, above-inflation offer with full back pay for all employees reflects the value we place on our people and our commitment to protecting them from the rising cost of living, even in the challenging financial environment we operate in.

“We expect there to be little or no service on the affected routes, and we’re sorry for any disruption this may cause to people’s journeys. There will still be alternative travel options, but other routes may be busier than normal. We encourage those who are affected to plan ahead, allow extra time for their journeys and check before they travel using the TfL website or the TfL Go app.”