Hundreds of ticket inspectors at Transport for London to strike over pay

London will "descend into a free-for-all fare scenario" as ticket inspectors walkout in a dispute over pay.

Nearly 300 compliance, Policing, Operations and Security Directorate (CPOS) at Transport for London (TfL) plan to strike later this week after rejecting an "unacceptable pay offer."

CPOS staff are responsible for enforcement duties at stations, on buses and checks on taxis, as well as anti- violence and aggression policing across the transport network often working closely with the Metropolitan, City of London and British Transport Police.

Unite the Union say a pay rise for members has not been accepted this year and has been unilaterally imposed by TfL.

Adding the company is "refusing to deal with pay parity issues with equivalent London Underground staff who earn considerably more."

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Our members keep London and its residents safe and sound on the TfL network.

"Yet these vital workers are being undervalued and have been offered an unacceptable pay deal.

"Unless TfL think again and come back to the table with an improved offer, London will see a fares free-for-all in the run up to Christmas.”

Strike dates are planned for 12, 13 and 14 December and the 20, 21 and 22 December.

Unite regional officer Steven Stockwell said: “These workers are putting themselves in harms way on a daily basis and just want pay parity compared to other colleagues in London on a different part of the network.

“That TfL has decided to make such an unacceptable offer has made our members furious and their anger will be on display on picket lines later this month.”A spokesperson for TfL said: "We are disappointed that the Unite union has announced this strike action for members of our Compliance, Policing, Operations and Security Directorate.

"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 action only impacts the bus network, however we have measures in place and still plan to have officers carrying out revenue inspection on buses."

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