Union brands High Court bus strike decision 'affront to democracy'

Unite branded the High Court decision an "affront to democracy."

The union accused the employers and outside influences of "ambushing the court."

Unite vowed to appeal the unprecedented ruling in a dispute over a failure by London bus operators to award an Olympic payment.

The union went on to warn that the injunction struck at the heart of
ordinary people’s democratic right to take industrial action.

Strikes will go ahead at: London United, London Sovereign, Stagecoach East, Stagecoach Rainham, Stagecoach Selkent, Arriva North, Arriva South, First Capital, First Centre West, London Central, Abellio West, Abellio South, Metrobus, Docklands, Blue Triangle, CT Plus and Arriva Southern Counties.

Unite London regional secretary, Peter Kavanagh, said: “Bus workers across the vast majority of London’s bus network will be on strike tomorrow.

"This comes despite an injunction which was given without any proper explanation.

"It begs the question of whether the court has come under any external pressure in making the ruling. Granting an injunction in the face of a massive vote for strike action is an affront to democracy.

"We are fast becoming a country where justice rules in favour of big business and tramples on the rights of ordinary working men and women.

“We will appeal this anti-democratic decision. It will only serve to deepen the resolve of London bus workers. The failure by the bus companies to negotiate seriously and their desire to run to the courts will only heighten tensions.

"The decision by these three bus companies runs contrary to the Mayor’s call to pay London bus workers an Olympic bonus.”