London bus drivers have started 26 days of strike action in protest at 'dangerously hot' conditions during the record-breaking summer.
More than 1,500 bus drivers working for Arriva London started industrial action today – with warnings of major transport delays and chaos across the coming months.
The employees, who work at eight bus garages across north and east London and Essex, have walked out over what the Unite union says is Arriva's failure to improve working conditions during hot weather.
Workers are complaining that buses do not have air conditioning and are instead reliant on 'cooling systems' which are less effective in the sweltering heatwaves that have hit the capital over the last few months.
Unite said the current systems only reduce temperatures by about two or three degrees, leaving conditions 'still unbearably hot for drivers and passengers'.
Drought has been declared for all of Wales and almost three quarters of England – and a sixth heatwave of the year saw temperatures pass 38C (100.4F).
It was confirmed this week the UK is on course for its hottest summer ever – with only average conditions needed for the rest of August to beat a record set only last year.
Some 1,500 bus drivers are taking industrial action in London in protest at working conditions - Unite trade union members are seen here in Stamford Hill, north London
A London bus driver takes a break in the shade during a heatwave in June this year
Britain yesterday experienced its hottest day of the year so far and the fifth warmest on record as temperatures surged to 38.1C in Kew Gardens.
It is the second time the UK has reached 38C (100.4F) this year – with the first being in Lingwood, Norfolk, when the mercury reached that mark on June 26.
The only other time temperatures have reached 38C (100.4F) twice in a year was in 2022 when the UK recorded its hottest ever temperatures, the Met Office said.
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The intense heat has made 2026 the first year on record to see three separate days where temperatures reached the 37C (99F) threshold, as well as the first year with four days at 36C or above, and extends 2026’s record-breaking run of days above 35C (95F).
Supporting today's strike action, Unite's general secretary Sharon Graham said: 'The heatwave this week has caused even more problems for our members at Arriva North London, who have once again faced doing a demanding job in unbearable conditions.
'No worker should be made ill by their job. This problem is raised year after year and as the summers get hotter it can no longer be swept under the carpet.
'Arriva can afford to act on this serious issue, which puts both drivers and the general public at risk and it must make this a priority.'
The industrial action being taken is by bus garage workers based at Barking, Edmonton, Enfield, Grays, Palmers Green, Stamford Hill, Tottenham and Wood Green.
As well as today and tomorrow, further strikes are planned for August 18 to August 21, August 25 to 28, September 4 and 5, September 7 and 8, September 18 and 19, September 21 and 22, October 2 and 3, October 5 and 6, October 16 and 17 and October 19 and 20.
Strikers have also been protesting outside Wood Green bus garage in north London
More than 6,000 London buses have air cooling systems yet most lack air conditioning, according to Transport for London.
The walkouts between August 18 and 21 and from August 25 to 28, as well as some in September, come at the same time as planned closures for engineering works on London Underground's Piccadilly Line.
Unite regional officer Steve Stockwell said: 'The high temperatures this week have created even more misery for drivers at Arriva North London, who have spent the whole summer struggling to work in dangerous conditions.
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'They have raised concerns multiple times but these are not being listened to by management, so our members have no choice but to press ahead with this highly disruptive industrial action.
'Unite is willing to come back to the table, but that relies on Arriva North London management implementing meaningful changes so our drivers can do their jobs safely in hot weather.'
Peter Crane, 62, who has driven for Arriva for 22 years, showed a photo of his cab temperature reading at 44C on Friday, telling the Press Association: 'We're so fed up, we get into the bus and it's absolutely boiling.
'It makes you drowsy. It makes you feel a bit uncomfortable. You're sweating, you’re sticky.
'It's like being in a greenhouse. That’s my life. You can't walk out. It’s not like an air conditioned office. Not like our bosses, our directors, who are driving by with what we need, air con in a car, it’s cool.
'We just want the same thing. Why can’t we have air con? Why can't we be comfortable and safe?'
Mr Crane was amongst around 50 drivers striking outside Wood Green bus garage in north London.
When asked what his message to Arriva would be, he said: 'Do you really care about the comfort of your staff? Because there's no evidence of it. It's all talk.'
Protesters gathered peacefully with music on, holding placards reading 'Too hot to work. Act now!' and union flags, while handing out pamphlets reading 'No to heatstroke. Yes to heat strikes' as cars and buses honked horns as they drove by.
A driver named Peter Skinner, 56, told PA: 'It's very hard, very exhausting, tiring - it's awful.
'I know a young lady personally that works in another garage who passed out as she stepped out a cab, she was pregnant at the time.
'It's absolutely pressing, isn't it? How long is it going to be before a driver does pass out on the wheel? Think of the carnage of a 14-ton bus with 80 people in it, that could make a big mess.'
Arriva London's managing director Mo Wasim said: 'Extreme heat is creating challenges across many sectors, including London's bus network.
'The wellbeing of our colleagues and customers is our top priority, and we are working closely with Transport for London to ensure appropriate support is in place.
'We have already introduced additional support for drivers during hot weather, including regular breaks and welfare checks - and are continuing to invest in long-term improvements, including upgraded air conditioning systems and new buses coming into our fleet.'
He said these 'upgrades' were being led by TfL – while also adding: 'We urge Unite to come back to the negotiating table and engage with us constructively so we can avoid further disruption.'
A spokesperson for the Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan said this afternoon: 'The Mayor and TfL take the safety and welfare of London’s bus drivers extremely seriously.
'London’s hard working bus drivers play a vital role in keeping the capital moving around the clock and the Mayor remains committed to improving their working conditions.
'The Mayor recognises the impact that extreme temperatures can have on bus drivers and has been working closely with TfL to ensure additional support is being explored with bus operators.
'This builds on the wide range of measures already in place to help keep staff and customers safe during hot weather, including the Mayor's heat taskforce, which has met regularly since it was established. Further updates on this work will be announced shortly.'
The spokesperson said all driver cabs were fitted with air-cooling systems and checks are being carried out to ensure they were functioning correctly.
They added: 'If a cooling system is not working adequately and a driver does not feel they can carry out their duties safely, they should contact the controller and stop driving, with no risk of penalty.
'The Mayor and TfL urges the bus operating company and the union to continue discussions and reach an agreement that avoids strike action.'