BUS services will be disrupted next week if a planned strike by drivers goes ahead.

Members of the Unite union who work for East London Bus and Coach Company will walk out from 3am on Monday for 24 hours.

The action will lead to reduced or cancelled services on a number of routes which go through Waltham Forest including the 69, 158, 230 and 257 buses.

The union members are angry about a pay freeze.

But Nigel Barrett, East London Bus company chief executive officer, said:“We need to monitor costs very carefully and responsibly.   “In the current circumstances, we are unable to offer a pay increase and have therefore had to maintain current pay levels.”

Basic pay for a driver employed by East London Bus Company ranges from £28 to 31k, a spokesman said.

Mr Barrett said: “In the current recession we feel that these rates are fair and reasonable and remain above the market average for bus drivers in London.”

For more information visit www.tfl.gov.uk

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