Bus Drivers Accept Olympics Cash Offer

London bus workers have voted to accept an offer of an Olympics bonus, ending the threat of another strike.

The Unite union said workers will get £577 in recognition of the "massive increase" in workload over the Games.

Thousands of bus workers went on strike last month and were threatening further walkouts.

In workplace ballots held yesterday 71% voted to accept the offer.

The bus workers will get a payment of £27.50 each time they complete a duty over the 29 days of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The average number of duties workers will complete will be 21, meaning most workers will get a £577 award.

Peter Kavanagh, Unite's regional secretary for London, said: "After almost a year-long campaign, bus workers finally have a fair deal which recognises their contribution to keeping London moving over the Olympics."

Transport for London's managing director of surface transport, Leon Daniels, welcomed the news, adding: "The pay of bus workers is, and will remain, a matter between them and the private bus operating companies that employ them.

"However, in this case, as the capital prepares to celebrate the biggest festival of sport and culture it has ever seen, TfL and the Mayor (Boris Johnson) sought to bring Unite and the bus companies together and we are pleased that they have now resolved this dispute."