A historic Single Interest Bargaining Order was handed down this month that allows the TWU to negotiate for over 5000 workers ahead of the window to industrial action opening this Wednesday.
The TWU has spent years pressuring employers and leveraging the findings of the Bus Industry Taskforce report to make the case that conditions for NSW bus drivers are amongst the worst in the country. In November, the bus companies joined the TWU at the Union’s Bus Industry Roundtable at the Parliament of NSW, to make the case directly to the Government as to why the funding is desperately needed. This was followed by a public industry forum in Western Sydney, with business leaders present to hear from bus workers in June.
Monday’s funding announcement follows years of careful planning to align the metro and outer metro agreements to expire in 2026, culminating in the upcoming Multi-Employer Agreement negotiations.
While the TWU welcomes this additional funding, it by no means releases any of the pressure facing everyday bus drivers and the riding public until employers agree to an MEA with must-have inclusions such as fair super, productivity improvements through safety training, improved consultation, rostering, and timetable updates.
TWU NSW Secretary Richard Olsen said:
“Simply put, bus drivers are making themselves heard and they’re getting results. At the industry roundtable, I saw our members tell Chris Minns, Daniel Mookhey and John Graham to their faces what their working lives are like – even the bus companies know it’s well past time for a change. This is a generational opportunity for bus workers and Western Sydney if the companies come to the table and get this right.”
TWU NSW Assistant Secretary Nick McIntosh said:
“We’ve been pretty consistent up to this point that we’ve been fighting for an MEA and a 25% funding increase. And well, this announcement is great, but this has to end in drivers getting the pay and conditions they deserve. This doesn’t release the pressure on the industry, it’s only the first step, and if anything it makes the fight more important than ever. The Government knows that this industry is at a breaking point for drivers and for the public, and we’ll stand by bus workers to make sure it becomes sustainable.”
TWU National Secretary Michael Kaine said:
“Everywhere you look, bus drivers, who carry out critical work for often vulnerable members in our communities, are dealing with horrific assaults, declining pay and job insecurity from contracts constantly changing hands. By using multi-employer bargaining laws with bus companies across Australia, we can put an end to state governments looking for the cheapest bidder.”