Bus delays and cancelled services imminent as drivers strike over pay and conditions

The Advertiser

5 hours ago

Newcastle bus drivers will refuse to drive any vehicle showing a "persistent warning light" from Monday, launching industrial action over stalled wage talks.
The union says the move highlights both the poor state of the fleet and the breakdown in negotiations with Keolis Downer, which have dragged on since January.
Keolis Downer, which operates the Newcastle bus network, admitted at the weekend that, while services will continue around the city, some buses may be delayed or cancelled on short notice.
"We have asked the RTBU for a commitment not to impact school services and are doing everything possible to minimise disruption - particularly for students and vulnerable passengers. If any school services are affected, we will provide as much notice as possible and notify schools directly," a spokesman said.
The Rail Tram and Bus Union, which represents drivers on the Newcastle network operated by Keolis Downer, said drivers would take action from Monday for 24 hours because their employer refused to provide local drivers with the fair wages and safe working conditions they deserve.
The state branch's Tram and Bus Division Secretary David Babineaux said bus drivers were unique in the public transport sector for their exposure during working hours, and yet, he said, they have been historically undervalued.
The dispute also comes amid growing concerns about driver safety. In March, the Newcastle Herald reported bus services came to a halt after a driver was allegedly threatened with a machete.
"We're not locked away in a cabin like a ferrymaster or a train driver," he said. "We're operating the vehicle and we're completely exposed to the public and we wear it all ... (but) the job has been undervalued for some time."
The union had provided an extensive log of claims when bargaining began around January, Mr Babineaux said, including calls for an eight per cent increase in pay, countered by Keolis Downer's offer of 4 per cent in the first year and 3 per cent in the second and third years of the agreement.
"To be honest, 4-3-3 is just unacceptable for our members," Mr Babineaux said. "The bare minimum that we can accept is $40 an hour by the end of the agreement."
Mr Babineaux said while it is hoped the protected industrial action won't impact services, bus commuters in Hunter should prepare for potential delays from Monday.
"The company is already raising concerns about school services. If the company is unable to provide enough buses that do not have persistent warning lights to the point where school services are impacted, then I'd be asking why they have been putting kids on defective vehicles to begin with?" Mr Babineaux said.
Keolis Downer told the Herald on Saturday evening that it was "deeply disappointed" by the action planned on Monday and insisted that its offer to workers would not cause any loss of conditions.
"We are deeply disappointed that this ongoing industrial action continues to disrupt our community - especially as we continue to negotiate in good faith on a new Enterprise Agreement," a spokesman said.
It's understood the "persistent warning lights" refer to dashboard indicators of minor maintenance issues the company says don't compromise vehicle safety.
Mr Babineaux apologised to Newcastle residents who may be put out by the action, but argued that if buses were delayed or cancelled because of the driver's action, it would be an indictment on the state of the fleet.
"Transport (for NSW) have two people that look after the entire bus asset across 14 depots," he said. "If they ever got out of their office, it would be a miracle."
Earlier this month, Newcastle council urged the state government to take back control of the city's bus network when Keolis Downer's contract ends in 2027, citing axed routes, inflated costs, and a rise in antisocial behaviour.
Newcastle bus drivers will refuse to drive any vehicle showing a "persistent warning light" from Monday, launching industrial action over stalled wage talks.
The union says the move highlights both the poor state of the fleet and the breakdown in negotiations with Keolis Downer, which have dragged on since January.
Keolis Downer, which operates the Newcastle bus network, admitted at the weekend that, while services will continue around the city, some buses may be delayed or cancelled on short notice.
"We have asked the RTBU for a commitment not to impact school services and are doing everything possible to minimise disruption - particularly for students and vulnerable passengers. If any school services are affected, we will provide as much notice as possible and notify schools directly," a spokesman said.
The Rail Tram and Bus Union, which represents drivers on the Newcastle network operated by Keolis Downer, said drivers would take action from Monday for 24 hours because their employer refused to provide local drivers with the fair wages and safe working conditions they deserve.
The state branch's Tram and Bus Division Secretary David Babineaux said bus drivers were unique in the public transport sector for their exposure during working hours, and yet, he said, they have been historically undervalued.
The dispute also comes amid growing concerns about driver safety. In March, the Newcastle Herald reported bus services came to a halt after a driver was allegedly threatened with a machete.
"We're not locked away in a cabin like a ferrymaster or a train driver," he said. "We're operating the vehicle and we're completely exposed to the public and we wear it all ... (but) the job has been undervalued for some time."
The union had provided an extensive log of claims when bargaining began around January, Mr Babineaux said, including calls for an eight per cent increase in pay, countered by Keolis Downer's offer of 4 per cent in the first year and 3 per cent in the second and third years of the agreement.
"To be honest, 4-3-3 is just unacceptable for our members," Mr Babineaux said. "The bare minimum that we can accept is $40 an hour by the end of the agreement."
Mr Babineaux said while it is hoped the protected industrial action won't impact services, bus commuters in Hunter should prepare for potential delays from Monday.
"The company is already raising concerns about school services. If the company is unable to provide enough buses that do not have persistent warning lights to the point where school services are impacted, then I'd be asking why they have been putting kids on defective vehicles to begin with?" Mr Babineaux said.
Keolis Downer told the Herald on Saturday evening that it was "deeply disappointed" by the action planned on Monday and insisted that its offer to workers would not cause any loss of conditions.
"We are deeply disappointed that this ongoing industrial action continues to disrupt our community - especially as we continue to negotiate in good faith on a new Enterprise Agreement," a spokesman said.
It's understood the "persistent warning lights" refer to dashboard indicators of minor maintenance issues the company says don't compromise vehicle safety.
Mr Babineaux apologised to Newcastle residents who may be put out by the action, but argued that if buses were delayed or cancelled because of the driver's action, it would be an indictment on the state of the fleet.
"Transport (for NSW) have two people that look after the entire bus asset across 14 depots," he said. "If they ever got out of their office, it would be a miracle."
Earlier this month, Newcastle council urged the state government to take back control of the city's bus network when Keolis Downer's contract ends in 2027, citing axed routes, inflated costs, and a rise in antisocial behaviour.
Newcastle bus drivers will refuse to drive any vehicle showing a "persistent warning light" from Monday, launching industrial action over stalled wage talks.
The union says the move highlights both the poor state of the fleet and the breakdown in negotiations with Keolis Downer, which have dragged on since January.
Keolis Downer, which operates the Newcastle bus network, admitted at the weekend that, while services will continue around the city, some buses may be delayed or cancelled on short notice.
"We have asked the RTBU for a commitment not to impact school services and are doing everything possible to minimise disruption - particularly for students and vulnerable passengers. If any school services are affected, we will provide as much notice as possible and notify schools directly," a spokesman said.
The Rail Tram and Bus Union, which represents drivers on the Newcastle network operated by Keolis Downer, said drivers would take action from Monday for 24 hours because their employer refused to provide local drivers with the fair wages and safe working conditions they deserve.
The state branch's Tram and Bus Division Secretary David Babineaux said bus drivers were unique in the public transport sector for their exposure during working hours, and yet, he said, they have been historically undervalued.
The dispute also comes amid growing concerns about driver safety. In March, the Newcastle Herald reported bus services came to a halt after a driver was allegedly threatened with a machete.
"We're not locked away in a cabin like a ferrymaster or a train driver," he said. "We're operating the vehicle and we're completely exposed to the public and we wear it all ... (but) the job has been undervalued for some time."
The union had provided an extensive log of claims when bargaining began around January, Mr Babineaux said, including calls for an eight per cent increase in pay, countered by Keolis Downer's offer of 4 per cent in the first year and 3 per cent in the second and third years of the agreement.
"To be honest, 4-3-3 is just unacceptable for our members," Mr Babineaux said. "The bare minimum that we can accept is $40 an hour by the end of the agreement."
Mr Babineaux said while it is hoped the protected industrial action won't impact services, bus commuters in Hunter should prepare for potential delays from Monday.
"The company is already raising concerns about school services. If the company is unable to provide enough buses that do not have persistent warning lights to the point where school services are impacted, then I'd be asking why they have been putting kids on defective vehicles to begin with?" Mr Babineaux said.
Keolis Downer told the Herald on Saturday evening that it was "deeply disappointed" by the action planned on Monday and insisted that its offer to workers would not cause any loss of conditions.
"We are deeply disappointed that this ongoing industrial action continues to disrupt our community - especially as we continue to negotiate in good faith on a new Enterprise Agreement," a spokesman said.
It's understood the "persistent warning lights" refer to dashboard indicators of minor maintenance issues the company says don't compromise vehicle safety.
Mr Babineaux apologised to Newcastle residents who may be put out by the action, but argued that if buses were delayed or cancelled because of the driver's action, it would be an indictment on the state of the fleet.
"Transport (for NSW) have two people that look after the entire bus asset across 14 depots," he said. "If they ever got out of their office, it would be a miracle."
Earlier this month, Newcastle council urged the state government to take back control of the city's bus network when Keolis Downer's contract ends in 2027, citing axed routes, inflated costs, and a rise in antisocial behaviour.
Newcastle bus drivers will refuse to drive any vehicle showing a "persistent warning light" from Monday, launching industrial action over stalled wage talks.
The union says the move highlights both the poor state of the fleet and the breakdown in negotiations with Keolis Downer, which have dragged on since January.
Keolis Downer, which operates the Newcastle bus network, admitted at the weekend that, while services will continue around the city, some buses may be delayed or cancelled on short notice.
"We have asked the RTBU for a commitment not to impact school services and are doing everything possible to minimise disruption - particularly for students and vulnerable passengers. If any school services are affected, we will provide as much notice as possible and notify schools directly," a spokesman said.
The Rail Tram and Bus Union, which represents drivers on the Newcastle network operated by Keolis Downer, said drivers would take action from Monday for 24 hours because their employer refused to provide local drivers with the fair wages and safe working conditions they deserve.
The state branch's Tram and Bus Division Secretary David Babineaux said bus drivers were unique in the public transport sector for their exposure during working hours, and yet, he said, they have been historically undervalued.
The dispute also comes amid growing concerns about driver safety. In March, the Newcastle Herald reported bus services came to a halt after a driver was allegedly threatened with a machete.
"We're not locked away in a cabin like a ferrymaster or a train driver," he said. "We're operating the vehicle and we're completely exposed to the public and we wear it all ... (but) the job has been undervalued for some time."
The union had provided an extensive log of claims when bargaining began around January, Mr Babineaux said, including calls for an eight per cent increase in pay, countered by Keolis Downer's offer of 4 per cent in the first year and 3 per cent in the second and third years of the agreement.
"To be honest, 4-3-3 is just unacceptable for our members," Mr Babineaux said. "The bare minimum that we can accept is $40 an hour by the end of the agreement."
Mr Babineaux said while it is hoped the protected industrial action won't impact services, bus commuters in Hunter should prepare for potential delays from Monday.
"The company is already raising concerns about school services. If the company is unable to provide enough buses that do not have persistent warning lights to the point where school services are impacted, then I'd be asking why they have been putting kids on defective vehicles to begin with?" Mr Babineaux said.
Keolis Downer told the Herald on Saturday evening that it was "deeply disappointed" by the action planned on Monday and insisted that its offer to workers would not cause any loss of conditions.
"We are deeply disappointed that this ongoing industrial action continues to disrupt our community - especially as we continue to negotiate in good faith on a new Enterprise Agreement," a spokesman said.
It's understood the "persistent warning lights" refer to dashboard indicators of minor maintenance issues the company says don't compromise vehicle safety.
Mr Babineaux apologised to Newcastle residents who may be put out by the action, but argued that if buses were delayed or cancelled because of the driver's action, it would be an indictment on the state of the fleet.
"Transport (for NSW) have two people that look after the entire bus asset across 14 depots," he said. "If they ever got out of their office, it would be a miracle."
Earlier this month, Newcastle council urged the state government to take back control of the city's bus network when Keolis Downer's contract ends in 2027, citing axed routes, inflated costs, and a rise in antisocial behaviour.