London bus drivers threaten Olympics strike

PA

Thousands of London bus workers have threatened to go on strike during the Olympics unless they receive a payment of £500 each for working during the event.

The Daily Mail reports that members of the Unite union backed industrial action by more than nine to one because bus drivers are the only London transport workers who are not receiving an award for their extra effort during the Olympic Games.

Unite has previously warned that "strike action could take place up to and during the Olympic Games", and will decide in the coming days whether to name the strike dates.

Any strike action during the Games, which take place between July 27 and August 12, will cause significant disruption as the London public transport is expecting to face an extra three million daily journeys, from an extra 800,000 passengers.

Transport for London said that the union was demanding a £500 bonus for each of the 24,000 bus drivers in London for working during the London 2012 Games.

Unite said that it was giving the bus companies a final opportunity to consider the "landslide" ballot result.

Regional Officer Peter Kavanagh said: "Our members are only asking for an extra £17 a day which will just about buy you a pint of beer and a portion of fish and chips at the Olympics.

"Our members want the Games to be a success but their patience has run out."

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