Bus drivers down trousers in pay row

A group of the capital's bus drivers are set to protest about pay cuts by revealing their underpants.

The drivers will congregate in Marble Arch tomorrow morning to make their eye-catching protest.

Union Unite claims that disparities in drivers' wages - which can vary by as much as £10,000 a year - and variations in other conditions of employment are leading to a damaging "race to the bottom" in service provision.

The term "race to the bottom" refers to its claim that bus companies in the capital are cutting pay to win contracts.

Unite says employers have so far refused to discuss the matter with the union.

The drivers will wear boxer shorts that will say "Stop the race to the bottom" during the demo.

Unite said: "Bus drivers will get revealing about London's buses this week in a bid to highlight the pay mess ruining the capital's essential public transport service."

Unite says there is now a prospect of a London-wide ballot for strike action of all of its 28,000 members.