SOME bus services in the west of Thurrock connecting with East London will be disrupted by strike action tomorrow (Friday, 14 August) and over days to follow.

Striking drivers working for Arriva North London, including those based at the West Thurrock depot on Magnet Road, are taking action about working conditions on buses during hot weather.

Workforce members of the Unite union agreed to take action after a recent ballot. They say their employer has failed to act on complaints.

More than 1,500 bus drivers from eight Arriva North garages in London will take part in the action.

A statement from the union says: "Most Arriva North London buses have air cooling systems rather than air conditioning. These take in air from outside and circulate it around and can reduce the ambient temperature by a maximum of 10 degrees Celsius - however bus drivers have said in the latest heatwave temperatures have only reduced by around two or three degrees.

"This has left drivers working in conditions they have deemed unbearable (with temperatures regularly in the high 30s) as well as suffering from fatigue that has worsened in the recent heatwave.

"This issue has been raised to Arriva North London in previous years, but action has not been taken. Drivers are calling for improvements to buses, including installing air conditioning."

One driver said: "Driving in the summer is stifling. It's horrible. We have thermometers in the cab and it's got to over 40 degrees. It's impossible driving in that temperature."

And another commented: "I think if passengers knew the reality of the bus driver's life, they'd be actually very frightened. I regularly feel so fatigued that I would feel slightly nauseous."

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham added: "Bus drivers have suffered in these scorching temperatures for long enough and the situation is getting worse.

"Arriva must stop putting profits before people and invest in much better systems to keep buses cool.

"A profitable company such as Arriva could easily invest in improving conditions for its drivers and protecting the general public but is instead prioritising greed. We will back our members all the way in this dispute and their fight for decent working conditions."

Several days of action days of action are planned.

Arriva's latest financial figures released in mid 2025 showed it reported a pre-tax profit of €156 million and an operating profit of €127 million.

Strikes will take place on 14 to 15 August, 18 to 21 August, 25 to 28 August, 4 to 5 September, 7 to 8 September, 18 to 19 September, 21 to 22 September, 2 to 3 October, 5 to 6 October, 16 to 17 October and 19 to 20 October.

Thurrock services affected will include the 370 from Lakeside and the 175 and 248 routes.

Unite regional officer Steven Stockwell said: "We know those who rely on these bus services will be dismayed to hear of industrial action, but it is entirely the fault of Arriva who has completely failed to listen to our members.

"Instead of engaging in bullying behaviour, Arriva could prevent this disruption by entering meaningful discussions with Unite on how to improve driver working conditions in hot weather once and for all. It must take this seriously and enter talks with Unite."

Arriva London managing director Wasim Mohammed stated that the company is responding to the heat dispute by investing in longer-term solutions, which include cab air-conditioning upgrades and ongoing investments in a new bus fleet