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Bus companies seek injunction to stop London bus strike London 2012: Bus firms seek Games bonus row strike injunction
(about 2 hours later)
Three bus companies are seeking an injunction to stop a potential strike by about 20,000 London bus workers seeking more pay during the Olympics.Three bus companies are seeking an injunction to stop a potential strike by about 20,000 London bus workers seeking more pay during the Olympics.
Arriva, Metroline and Go Ahead have applied for the High Court order.Arriva, Metroline and Go Ahead have applied for the High Court order.
Talks are being held in a bid to prevent Friday's planned action by Unite members who are demanding a £500 bonus for working during the Games. Members of the Unite union are demanding a £500 bonus for working during the Games.
Talks between 21 bus operators and the union aimed at halting Friday's planned strike action broke down at concilliation service Acas earlier.
Andrew Stafford QC, for Arriva, Metroline and London General, told the High Court: "The workers have no contractual right to any bonus payment, but are of course perfectly at liberty to exercise their industrial muscle to procure by strike action what they cannot procure by agreement - provided the strike action is lawful.
'Breach of contract'
"If they are correct, then Unite is acting unlawfully to induce its members to act in breach of their contracts of employment with the companies.
"If they are wrong, then Unite may induce breaches of contract with legal impunity."
Francis King, the spokesman for Arriva, said the legal action was centring on the legality of Unite's ballot process.
The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) has offered £8.3m in a bid to avert action, mayor Boris Johnson has said.The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) has offered £8.3m in a bid to avert action, mayor Boris Johnson has said.
Representatives of 21 bus operators are meeting at conciliation service Acas.
Francis King, the spokesman for Arriva, said the legal action would centre on the legality of Unite's ballot process.
He stressed that "negotiations are on-going at this time".
Unite has "cautiously welcomed" the offer from the ODA.Unite has "cautiously welcomed" the offer from the ODA.
Mr Johnson said the money was only available if a strike was cancelled.Mr Johnson said the money was only available if a strike was cancelled.
"It is absolutely vital that the bus companies now pull their fingers out and do this deal," he added."It is absolutely vital that the bus companies now pull their fingers out and do this deal," he added.
The £8.3m is in addition to £91m the ODA gave to Transport for London to cover the additional costs of running extra services during the Olympics, including bonus pay deals agreed with rail workers.The £8.3m is in addition to £91m the ODA gave to Transport for London to cover the additional costs of running extra services during the Olympics, including bonus pay deals agreed with rail workers.
Deals have been announced giving workers at Heathrow Express £700, Network Rail £500, Docklands Light Railway £900, London Overground £600 and London Underground at least £850, Unite said.Deals have been announced giving workers at Heathrow Express £700, Network Rail £500, Docklands Light Railway £900, London Overground £600 and London Underground at least £850, Unite said.
Unite estimates it would cost £14m to provide a £500 bonus for every bus driver.Unite estimates it would cost £14m to provide a £500 bonus for every bus driver.
If the strike goes ahead, it will last 24 hours from 03:00 BST on Friday.If the strike goes ahead, it will last 24 hours from 03:00 BST on Friday.
Are you a bus driver going on strike? Are you hoping to travel on a London bus on Friday? If you are willing to be interviewed on BBC TV or radio please fill in the form below including the best phone number to get you on.Are you a bus driver going on strike? Are you hoping to travel on a London bus on Friday? If you are willing to be interviewed on BBC TV or radio please fill in the form below including the best phone number to get you on.