London bus strikes resume over extreme heat working conditions

Bus strikes that disrupted commutes across London earlier this month are set to cause further major disruption after drivers rejected a proposed deal from their employer. Over 1,500 bus drivers employed by Arriva North London, a Transport for London contractor, walked out again starting at 4 a.m. on Tuesday, August 25, 2026. The industrial action is scheduled to continue until 4:30 a.m. on Friday, August 28, affecting 42 bus routes across north London and parts of Essex.

The renewed strikes follow a brief pause for negotiations between the union Unite and Arriva. During that period, members voted against a new offer, stating it did not adequately address their core concerns. The dispute centers on working conditions during extreme heat, with the union accusing Arriva of failing to act on complaints about dangerously hot driver cabs. Unite reports that most Arriva buses are equipped with air cooling systems rather than full air conditioning, which it says only reduces temperatures by a few degrees. During recent heatwaves, including the hottest day of the year recorded on August 13, 2026, cab temperatures reportedly exceeded 40 degrees Celsius, leading to cases of heat...