Today, Bus workers in NSW have used the Federal government’s new multi-employer bargaining laws to call on the reversal of 15 years’ worth of cuts, or risk shutting down bus services from Wollongong to Port Stephens. The application the TWU has filed calls for over 8000 bus workers, among the lowest paid in Australia, to receive conditions befitting the contribution they make to the community. Bus drivers face significant safety concerns, a severe driver shortage and job insecurity as the result of a race to the bottom on standards over the last 15 years, with the NSW’s Government’s own taskforce recommending greatly enhancing pay to deal with retention and attraction issues. We’ve been heard loud and clear, with national media reporting on our filing this morning. |
Today’s filing is a firm statement that now is the time to address the worker shortage and make the industry fairer.
As I said earlier,
“In November, our Delegates as well as the bus companies told the Treasurer and Transport Minister to their faces that the status quo is untenable. We’ll continue to work constructively with the Government for better pay and conditions, but time is running out for these workers, who are already understaffed and overworked.”
It was good to spend today with many of our bus members, TWU leadership, National Secretary Michael Kaine as well as Senator Tony Sheldon as we discussed the historic filing.
The TWU will always fight for a fairer transport industry, and this is just one of the fights members are taking on in 2026. Congratulations to all for their work so far, but there is still much more to do.
Together, transport workers will set better minimum standards in this industry.
Our Roads, Our Skies, Our Future
In unity,
Richard Olsen
TWU NSW Secretary
