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HUNDREDS of London transport workers walked out on a 24-hour strike today in protest at their management’s imposition of an “undignified” pay cut.
More than 300 Transport for London (TfL) employees working on the Dial-a-Ride service, which provides special transport to elderly and vulnerable people, walked out alongside 300 TfL revenue protection inspectors, compliance officers and road-transport enforcement officers.
The workers, who are Unite members, claim that TfL are attempting to force through a 1 per cent pay increase for this year, which is below the inflation rate of 1.8 per cent.
They are angry that TfL managing director Gareth Powell received a 10 per cent pay rise of £305,649 for 2020.
They also point out that London Underground staff have been given an above-inflation pay rise.
The strike day saw scores of workers holding a noisy demonstration outside of TfL’s offices in Southwark, central London, where they were joined by supporters and members of other unions, including RMT, TSSA and Unison.
A worker who did not want to be named but said that he was a revenue inspector, told the Morning Star: “This is undignified treatment, and it is just such a huge sign of disrespect.
“When our bills go up, when the price of food goes up, we don’t get a special discount because we work for Transport for London.
“We need to have that raised wage the same way that everyone does, or we’re missing out and getting worse off, and that’s why I think you will see that so many of us want to take action against this decision.
“Where is the respect that I deserve, as a worker, as a human being who puts himself at personal risk for his job?
“I think that you can feel the anger about this and I hope that Transport for London understand that and take the right action.”
Unite regional officer Simon McCartney said: “The anger of TfL workers is turning into action, fighting back against paltry pay.
“Unless TfL bosses rethink their decision to impose a real-terms pay cut, the dispute could escalate even further.”
The workers will also strike on February 28, March 27 and April 24.
Both TfL and Dial-a-Ride claim that the pay offer is “fair” and includes an increase to 30 holidays over the next two years.
