London bus strike paused as heat concerns echo in Canada

Unite members operating for Arriva in north London have temporarily suspended a series of planned strikes after the company presented a new offer addressing working conditions in extreme heat. The pause allows drivers to vote on the proposal, with a restart of industrial action scheduled for Tuesday, 25 August if the ballot rejects the deal.

Background to the dispute

Heatwaves this summer have seen drivers in several countries complain about "oven‑like" temperatures inside bus cabins. In London, more than 1,500 drivers at eight garages – Barking, Edmonton, Enfield, Grays, Palmers Green, Stamford Hill, Tottenham and Wood Green – walked on 14 and 15 August. The action was due to continue until the early hours of Friday, 21 August, before being called off pending the ballot.

The industrial dispute centres on inadequate cooling in many buses, which rely on air‑cooling ventilation rather than full air‑conditioning, and on allegations of bullying involving Unite members and representatives. Unite warns that extreme heat can cause driver fatigue, dehydration, heatstroke and even blackouts, raising the risk of serious road accidents.

Arriva’s response

Arriva has said the wellbeing of its staff and customers is its "top priority". The operator has introduced extra welfare checks, cooling breaks during hot periods and is working with Transport for London to fit upgraded air‑conditioning on newer fleet buses.

Strike timetable

Before the current suspension, Unite had scheduled 26 strike dates from mid‑August to late October:

• August: 25 to 28
• September: 4 to 5, 7 to 8, 18 to 19, and 21 to 22
• October: 2 to 3, 5 to 6, 16 to 17, and 19 to 20

International context

Similar concerns have been raised by bus drivers in Toronto, where many vehicles lack adequate air‑conditioning, prompting the city to accelerate the introduction of climate‑controlled buses. Transit workers in several U.S. cities have also called for better cooling measures to protect drivers during extreme heat.

Unite’s decision to pause the walkouts follows talks with Arriva, giving members the chance to ballot on the new offer. If the vote is rejected, the union has warned that strikes will resume on 25 August.

First reported by the original wire report.