Newcastle bus drivers will step up their industrial action against Keolis Downer this week, via a 24-hour stoppage.
The RTBU members are planning to cease work from 4am on Friday 12 December until 4am on Saturday 13 December following the company’s alleged continued refusal to provide them with a fair Enterprise Agreement (EA).
Sadly, the escalation comes after workers convincingly rejected Keolis Downer’s proposed EA.
RTBU Tram and Bus Division president Peter Grech said the result reflected the deep frustration drivers felt about the private operator’s treatment of everyone.
“We’ve been warning that unless Keolis Downer showed some sense, we’d be forced to take stronger action,” he explained.
“We have now reached that point.
“Because of the company’s recalcitrance, drivers will stop work for 24 hours.
“This is not where we wanted to end up, and we know it will affect commuters, including those heading to festive events.
“But, Keolis Downer has left us with no choice.”
Mr Grech admitted bus drivers had gone to great lengths to minimise disruption to the community throughout their protected industrial action.
“We’ve done everything possible to shield passengers from impact while still applying pressure to the company,” he said.
“However, Keolis Downer has shown it does not share our respect for commuters or workers and is more than happy to let our community suffer the pain of this dispute.”
Mr Grech added the company’s ongoing failures had eroded trust and pushed workers to breaking point.
“The incompetence of Keolis Downer is astounding,” he said.
“They’ve failed to keep workers safe from assaults, they’ve bungled basic payroll processes, and they have repeatedly refused to offer a fair agreement.
“They even sent the EA voting link to workers’ next of kin as well as to the workers themselves.
“This is a company more focused on turning a profit than delivering a quality service for Newcastle.
“When the buses stop [tomorrow], let’s reflect on the fact that the NSW Government is paying a premium to this company for a rolled gold service.
“Instead, taxpayers are getting less than the basic package.
“It’s time for these buses to come back to public hands.”
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