Bus staff are set to strike for eight days this May, affecting south and south west London routes.

Around 40 control room staff at Transport UK buses, formerly Abellio, will strike from Wednesday, May 8 to Friday, May 10 and again from Monday, May 13 to Friday, May 17.

These employees manage bus routes, instruct drivers on traffic situations, and ensure the overall safety of these routes.

The industrial action will potentially bring "chaos" to services in south and south west London.

The Transport UK staff previously carried out strike action in January, and are now escalating action after their company's failure to present an improved pay offer.

The staff members have been offered a five per cent pay increase for 2023, which works out as a real-term pay cut due to inflation.

They already earn around £10,000 less annually than staff in other bus companies.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "Transport UK has hundreds of millions of pounds of revenue from lucrative London bus contracts and yet it is trying to short-change some of its most vital staff.

"It needs to understand our members won’t stand for it."

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Unite regional officer Maxine Loza added: "Transport UK’s refusal to deliver a vastly improved offer will cause traffic chaos for Londoners.

"Without these vital workers, buses don't run on time and driver and passenger safety is jeopardised.

"Yet by refusing to come back with an improved offer, Transport UK are showing just how little they value their staff."

Transport UK was contacted for comment.

Routes impacted by the May bus strikes:

24

27

111

156

159

267

285

322

344

345

415

490

969

H20

H25

H26

R68

R70