Transport for London Ticket Inspectors to Stage Strikes

Approximately 300 ticket inspectors employed by Transport for London (TfL) are scheduled to commence strike action later this week, citing concerns regarding what they describe as unfair wages. These employees, part of the Compliance, Policing, Operations and Security Directorate (CPOS), are responsible for conducting ticket checks at railway stations and on buses. Their industrial action is planned for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, followed by additional strike days on December 20, 21, and 22. Sharon Graham, the general secretary of the trade union Unite, stated: “These vital workers are being undervalued and have been offered an unacceptable pay deal.” In response, TfL issued a statement asserting: “We have held a number of constructive discussions with our trade unions and have presented an attractive pay offer that has been accepted by other unions.” This industrial action follows the compliance officers’ rejection of a proposed pay increase, which they contend failed to address the issue of equal wages compared to equivalent staff on the London Underground. Steven Stockwell, a regional officer for Unite, commented: “These workers are putting themselves in harm’s way on a daily basis and just want pay parity compared to other colleagues in London on a different part of the network.” TfL expressed its view, stating: “We are disappointed that the Unite union has announced this strike action for members of our Compliance, Policing, Operations and Security Directorate. “This action only impacts the bus network, however we have measures in place and still plan to have officers carrying out revenue inspection on buses.”