Over the summer, bus drivers in Unite the Union have been campaigning and striking over excessive heat and driver fatigue. 

The union’s Fight Fatigue Now roadshow called by at Fulwell bus garage in Twickenham at the end of July. One month later over 1,500 Arriva North London members voted to renew strike action, after deciding that an offer from the company did not go far enough to solve the problems of hot weather working.

Most buses operated by Arriva North London have air cooling systems rather than more effective air conditioning, the union pointed out. Temperatures of up to 40 degrees put drivers at increased danger of fatigue and led some to suffer health problems including heat exhaustion, heat stroke and dehydration.

Meanwhile, Unite’s Fight Fatigue campaign called on employers to: 

Introduce fatigue management into Transport for London buses (for example, stop disciplining drivers for fatigue) and agreements for drivers who currently have to drive the bus in heatwaves with no air-con.

Establish consistency across scheduling and rosters, such as a minimum of 12 hour breaks between duties and consistent start times to combat fatigue.

Improve rest, toilet and welfare facilities. A poll of Unite members found that 52% of London bus drivers had poor facilities at work, yet some drivers still have breaks by the side of the road.

If you have your own experience of trying to improve poor working conditions, whatever industry you are in, Hounslow Trades Council would like to hear about it.