Around 1,800 London bus drivers have accepted a pay increase, worth 18% to many, to end a long-running dispute that involved more than 20 days of strike action.

The Unite union, which represents the drivers employed by Abellio, said those with over two years’ service would get £18 per hour.

It equated to an 18% hike on the basic rate, it explained, way ahead of the main consumer prices index measure of inflation which currently stands at 10.5%.

They had originally sought a settlement of £20 per hour but agreed the package following a workplace ballot.

The dispute, which involved workers operating 800 vehicles on 60 routes, began in November when Unite argued that the Danish-owned firm was leaving its workforce at the mercy of the cost of living crisis by refusing to engage in meaningful talks.

It had sought a new staff scheduling arrangement as part of the deal.

“The agreement also includes increases to all rates including overtime and rest day working”, the union said.

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“Negotiations over the last few weeks also saw an increase to the rate for new starters, increased rates for Saturday/Sunday working.

“The union also won the £18 per hour for drivers who transferred to Abellio under TUPE legislation (designed to protect employees when their organisation is taken over) and had not previously been made the offer.”

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Unite general secretary, Sharon Graham, added: “This is an important pay victory.

“Workers have stood firm and with the support of their union, Unite, they have secured a richly deserved pay increase.”

Abellio was yet to comment.

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