Bus drivers threaten January strike
Adelaide’s bus services are facing disruption in January with drivers voting to begin industrial action on Christmas Eve.
An Adelaide Metro bus. Photo: Nat Rogers/InDaily
An overwhelming 95 per cent of Transport Workers Union members voted in support of strike action, with uniform bans coming into effect from Christmas Eve and action set to escalate into the new year.
This will see bus drivers wearing casual clothes rather than their mandated uniforms, with work stoppages likely to occur in early January if no agreement with Torrens Transit is reached.
A statement released by the Transport Workers Union said negotiations for a new enterprise agreement had “hit a standstill” and that driver safety has reached “a new low”.
Torrens Transit acquired Light City Buses In 2018 and became the sole company operating over 80% of buses across central Adelaide.
Torrens Transit is part of the Kelsian Group which also runs SeaLink ferries.
Branch Secretary of the Transport Workers Union Ian Smith said bus drivers have been given no choice but to pursue industrial action.
“The Adelaide bus network is in crisis and our brave drivers are taking a stand and fighting to improve the bus industry for all South Australians,” Smith said.
“Drivers are currently leaving the industry in droves over poor terms and conditions, and these negotiations with Torrens Transit are a fundamental turning point in shaping what we want and need from our bus network – now and into the future.
“Driving a bus was once a good, safe, sought-after job – but this isn’t the case today. Safety, wages and conditions are in tatters across the network, and drivers are working under immense pressure, and lack any work/life balance. Not only are conditions poor, but safety across the network is at an absolute crisis point.”
A ballot that closed on Tuesday includes 24-hour work stoppages as part of the protected action available to workers.
Smith said in the past few weeks, drivers had reported being punched, spat on and attacked with weapons.
“Nobody should have to go to work worried about whether they’ll be assaulted but this is what our drivers are facing every single day.
“Industrial action is a last resort but our hardworking bus drivers have been given no choice. They just want a fair deal that will see the bus industry move forwards, not fall further behind.
“This fight is not just about our bus drivers, it’s also about building a better bus network for our community.”
