Bus drivers will step up their industrial actions on the Metro Tasmania network from tomorrow, with a one-hour work stoppage to affect services in Launceston TOMORROW (Thursday 24 October).
Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) Tasmania Secretary Byron Cubit said Launceston bus drivers would stop work for one hour between 1.03pm and 2.03pm, bringing lunch time services to a halt.
"Bus drivers are frustrated with the offer from Metro that's on the table, which is effectively an 18-month pay freeze before the next pay rise kicks in," Mr Cubit said.
"It is disappointing that drivers feel they need to escalate their action in order to get Metro management to take their Enterprise Agreement claims seriously.
"Northern bus drivers will use this work stoppage as an opportunity to get together for a short meeting on the enterprise bargaining negotiations, and to discuss their next steps.
"Services in the south and north west will not be affected by the work stoppage, but will be affected by a range of other statewide protected industrial actions."
Mr Cubit said other industrial actions commencing tomorrow included bans on: • Using mobile phones while on shift; • Reversing manoeuvres unless under supervision; • Swapping buses unless on standby; • Driving buses with defects; • Operating a bus unless the Bus Control Unit (BCU) is completely functional; and • Operating a bus unless the Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) is fully operational.
These actions will be in addition to existing protected industrial action that commenced earlier in October.
Commuters should expect delays and disruptions to services as the industrial actions will affect the availability of both staff and buses.
Mr Cubit said the State Government had taken its eye off the ball with the negotiations, and was potentially sleepwalking into another transport-related crisis.
"While Jeremy Rockliff is preoccupied with no-confidence motions and Cabinet reshuffles, a looming crisis on Tasmania's bus network is being ignored.
"Drivers do not want this dispute to drag on into the busy Christmas holiday and tourist season.
"The State Government must ensure that Metro Tasmania is properly resourced, and Metro staff have competitive wages and conditions."
