Mayor under pressure to take lead in resolving bus strike

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At Transport Questions today Labour's Transport spokesperson, Val Shawcross,  challenged the mayor over his handling of the bus drivers' industrial dispute.  

Val Shawcross challenged the Mayor over his refusal to meet with the union to discuss this issue. As Chair of Transport for London the mayor has a clear role to ensure the London transport network operates.  

Labour’s Transport Spokesperson, Val Shawcross, said: “At the last minute the mayor has taken a more active interest in this issue, he needs to pick up the phone to employers today and get everybody around a table to sort this issue out. The Mayor is chair of TfL and the buck stops with him.  His announcement today that there is a pot of Olympic money that can be used to help meet the bus drivers' demands is welcome. However, he again refused to step in and work directly with the bus companies and drivers to find a resolution to this industrial dispute. He  is fai ling to take leadership  responsibility on this issue.”

“It is a real shame that this disagreement has come to strike action. The Mayor of London and Transport for London have not even met with the bus drivers' union, even more surprisingly none of the bus companies have met with the bus drivers' union. It is clear that all parties need to get round a table, talk to each other and find a solution. With the Olympic Games now just five weeks away it is unacceptable that neither the Mayor, TfL or the bus companies are willing to sit down with the union and discuss this issue.”