Gold Coast and Tweed Coast bus network commuters are being warned of massive delays due to strike action.
More than 200 drivers and cleaners will walk off the job from 4am-10am this morning, fighting for a wage increase following break down talks between unions and management.
There are significant knock-on effects expected throughout the day due to the six-hour disruption.
Transport Work Union says the Surfside Buslines strike shows a failure of bargaining for public transport workers, and is calling for a 7% wage increase at a minimum.
Jared Abbott, TWU QLD Director of Organising, has told myGC strike action is a last resort for these desperate workers.
“If there was another way that these drivers could essentially ensure they’re getting paid a fair amount of pay without having to do it, I’m sure they would,” Mr Abbott says.
“No one likes to have to go to this extreme, but it is the reason why industrial action and protected industrial action exists as a human right for people to do it, and it’s there because the balance of power between companies and workers isn’t usually fair.”
Mr Abbott says employee wages are incredibly far behind the cost of living, with Queensland bus drivers some of the lowest paid in Australia and a lot lower paid than similar industries.
“It’s no surprise that there is upcoming industrial when bus driver wages have failed to keep up with the cost of living and other like-for-like industries,”
“Drivers at Surfside have faced below-CPI wage increases and frankly insulting offers from Surfside/Kinetic,
“If driver wage funding continues to be pegged to WPI, there is an incentive for contractors to keep wages low.”
James Saltmer, General Manager for Kinetic South East Queensland, has apologised for what will likely cause significant disruptions.
“Buses will continue to operate on the Gold Coast and Tweed however there may be significant disruption to services during the six-hour work stoppage and for a period while full services are restored following the stoppage,” Mr Saltmer says.
“We apologise to our passengers for any inconvenience and encourage those travelling on Tuesday morning to allow more time for their journey or seek alternative transport where possible,
“Having met frequently with the TWU and independent employee representatives to progress a new agreement we are disappointed this action will impact our passengers and the community during the festive season.”
The Union is calling on the State Government to step in, admitting it’s not purely the private company to blame.
They say the system is failing and the government need to take responsibility for the bus service as part of the public network.
