Approximately 1,500 Unite union members across north London and Essex have launched a four-day strike, running from Tuesday through Friday, to protest working conditions during extreme heat. This latest walkout follows previous industrial action taken earlier in August, with further stoppages already scheduled throughout September and October.
The dispute centers on persistent reports of “excessive in-cab heat,” which drivers claim has plagued their working environment for years. Workers report that faulty or inadequate cooling systems allow temperatures to climb above 30C. During this year’s record-breaking summer, which saw five distinct heatwaves, temperatures frequently surpassed 40C, raising significant concerns about the potential for similar conditions to return in 2027.
Drivers have warned that existing cooling systems often reduce temperatures by only 2C to 3C, leaving staff vulnerable to dehydration, heatstroke, heat exhaustion, and fatigue. While the union and Arriva North London reached a tentative agreement last week, many drivers rejected the proposal, fearing that the company’s plan to retrofit air-conditioning units across its fleet of 730 buses will not be completed before the next summer season.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that drivers are performing a vital service while being forced to endure appalling conditions that put their health at risk. Graham asserted that Arriva has the financial capacity to implement meaningful changes and confirmed that the union will continue to back the striking workers until a satisfactory resolution is reached.
The industrial action affects eight bus garages, including those in Barking, Edmonton, Enfield, Grays, Palmers Green, Stamford Hill, Tottenham, and Wood Green. Previous strikes on August 14 and 18 resulted in significant service disruptions, including delays and cancellations across more than 40 bus routes throughout the capital.
Arriva London expressed disappointment regarding the ongoing strikes, noting that staff at five of the eight affected garages voted against the action. A spokesperson for the operator maintained that the company had reached an agreement with union officials on all demands and is actively seeking feedback to address remaining concerns at the three dissenting garages.
The company further stated that the safety of its staff and passengers remains its highest priority. According to Arriva, measures were introduced this summer to help drivers manage extreme heat, and the firm is continuing its investment in cab cooling upgrades. Arriva is also participating in Transport for London’s extreme weather taskforce, a collaborative effort aimed at developing long-term solutions for climate-related operational challenges. The report also notes that further stoppages are planned for the coming weeks. The report also notes that understands many are concerned that proposals to improve the air-conditioning system across Arriva North London’s fleet of 730 buses may not be finished by next summer. The report also notes that “Arriva can fully afford to make meaningful changes our members can accept.
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