Hackney bus drivers among 1,900 balloted for strike as London Assembly backs Bill of Rights

City Hall has unanimously backed a motion to introduce a “Bill of Rights” for bus drivers following a sweltering London heatwave. Temperatures soared as high as 50C in some drivers’ cabs last week, while many worked in buses with faulty air-conditioning or air-cooling systems.

Unite the Union claims Transport for London and Sir Sadiq Khan are not doing enough to protect drivers, and continue to put their safety at risk. On Thursday (2 July), Reform UK Assembly Member Keith Prince laid down a motion proposing a “Bill of Rights” built around a dozen key principles.

It calls for bus drivers to have a safe work schedule without forced overtime or loss of pay, along with an acceptable rest break during the working day. The bill also insists on access to a toilet on all bus routes, the right to report safety concerns without fear of retribution from TfL or employers, and that all buses have working air-cooling and heating systems.

‘They deserve a better deal’

Prince said: “We have seen drivers having to drive with their shirts off, drivers that don’t have anywhere to go to the loo. Something needs to be done, because while it’s important we are able to get to work and buses run on time, it’s equally important we are not driving these bus drivers to such levels of fatigue that they make human errors.

“They deserve a better deal – we must recognise the importance of having drivers who are not fatigued.”

All 21 assembly members in attendance backed the motion, which calls on the Mayor of London and TfL to formally recognise and support the drivers’ “Bill of Rights”.

Green party Assembly Member Caroline Russell said: “In Paris last week, a bus driver was overcome by heat and crashed into a tree. That single moment says a lot about what happens when conditions become unbearable. Drivers have been working in sweltering heat in recent weeks.

“In extreme weather, drivers are expected to carry their responsibility, which is pushing them to their limits. In February 2025, I submitted the Bus Drivers Bill of Rights petition – their demands were reasonable, including protection for workers raising safety concerns. They are basic rights for the dignity and well-being of the people who keep London’s transport moving.”

Labour’s Elly Baker added: “Safe working hours, protection from fatigue, working conditions that aren’t too hot or cold – these should be a given. Many of these points are covered in existing legislation, but where we fall short is implementation. It is absolutely right we are asking the Mayor and TfL to be more proactive in holding bus operators to account on this.”

Strike ballot across 10 depots

Some 1,900 bus drivers in north and east London across 10 depots are being balloted over a potential strike due to “unbearable” heatwave conditions, including drivers at the Clapton and Stamford Hill garages in Hackney. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham accused operator Arriva of “putting profits before people” and failing to invest in better cooling systems.

The other affected depots are at Barking, Dartford, Edmonton, Enfield, Grays, Palmers Green, Tottenham and Wood Green. The ballot opened on 1 July and continues until 29 July. Unite has warned that any strike will lead to severe delays and cancellations.

Mayor: ‘no bus leaves the garage’ without cooling

Last week Khan promised drivers more support to help them cope with the extreme heat. He said any driver working in a bus where air-cooling systems are not working can stop driving and contact their controller with no risk of penalty.

“What we’ve done is make sure that the bus companies that run our buses have been instructed by TfL to make sure that no bus leaves the garage unless the air conditioning and the air cooling is working,” he told the LDRS.

“Any bus driver that feels their bus is too hot, that is oppressive – they shouldn’t be driving their buses, and they will not be penalised for doing so.

“We’ve also said to the private bus companies that when it comes to the bus performance contracts, they’ve been suspended in these cases – so you won’t be penalised if your bus is delayed because the bus driver needs to take action to keep their bus safe, and their passengers safe as well.

“We’ve also stopped using the dodgy buses brought in by the previous Mayor, where the windows couldn’t open and the air conditioning didn’t work. In every bus, on both decks, there should be air coolants that are working. If they’re not, those buses shouldn’t be used.”