Unite general secretary Sharon Graham has welcomed plans for Transport for London to launch a publicly owned bus company, saying the move should be used to improve conditions for workers as well as services for passengers.
Graham said Unite had long argued for London's bus services to be returned to public ownership and described the announcement as a "positive step". Unite represents thousands of bus workers across the capital.
She said:
"Unite has long been calling for London's bus services to be returned to public ownership."
Graham added that the union would now press to ensure the new operator provides "well-paid, unionised jobs with excellent conditions".
New publicly owned operator
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan announced this week that TfL will establish a new publicly owned bus company, with the first route expected to transfer into direct public operation when existing contracts allow.
The move marks a change from the current model, under which TfL plans and controls the network but contracts individual routes to private operators.
Unite has argued that public ownership could give London greater control over how services are run and how workers are treated.
Graham attacks private operators over working conditions
Graham said private bus companies had benefited financially while workers faced poor conditions and passengers experienced declining services.
That is Unite's assessment. The union has been involved in a series of disputes with London bus operators this year, including action over extreme heat and working conditions at Arriva North London.
Earlier this month, Arriva drivers secured changes to hot-weather working arrangements after industrial action, with Unite saying the agreement represented a significant improvement in protections for drivers.
Union wants jobs and conditions at heart of new company
For Unite, the key issue now is how the new publicly owned company is structured.
Graham said:
"Today's news is a positive step."
She added that Unite would work to ensure Buses for London provides good pay, union recognition and strong working conditions.
Public ownership debate widens
The announcement comes as Labour politicians and trade unions increasingly argue for greater public control of transport.
Khan has presented the move as a response to Londoners who want more bus routes under public ownership, while Unite sees it as an opportunity to change both the economics of the system and employment standards.
The next test will be whether the new operator delivers the improvements its supporters are promising - not only for passengers, but for the thousands of workers who keep London's buses running.
