Festive season travel chaos after bus drivers threaten strike action against employer

Commuters may be left stranded during the Christmas and New Year season while bus drivers planning to strike against unfair pay and poor working conditions.

Festive season travel plans will be thrown into chaos if Torrens Transit bus drivers go through with plans to strike over the Christmas season.

Over 1000 bus drivers are threatening to walk off the job, causing wide spread disruption amid “unacceptable” negotiations with transport bosses who are offering less than a three per cent increase in pay a year.

The Transport Workers’ Union SA/NT branch (TWU) have applied for an order for the right to take industrial action towards employers, Torrens Transit, the transport provider for over 80 per cent of the Adelaide bus network.

Christmas transport plans may be thrown into chaos if Torrens Transit bus driver go through with plans to strike. Picture: Sue Graham

The union and employer are currently negotiating a new enterprise agreement that sees drivers receiving around an extra $4p/h plus penalties, from their current approximate hourly rate of $28, bringing their pay to the same as their NSW counterparts.

Currently Torrens Transit drivers are paid an aggregate pay while drivers in NSW are paid for overtime, annual leave loading and other penalties.

TWU SA/NT branch secretary Ian Smith said “strike action is a last resort … but our hardworking bus drivers have been given no choice”.

“Torrens Transit have put a completely unacceptable and inadequate offer on the table.

Transport Workers Union NT/SA Branch Manager Ian Smith. Picture: (A)manda Parkinson

“Bus drivers are leaving the industry in droves. Make no mistake – this isn’t happening for no reason. Safety, pay and conditions are in tatters, and instead of seizing this opportunity to deliver an agreement that attracts and retains drivers, Torrens are hanging their drivers out to dry with a deal that falls well short of what they deserve,” Mr Smith said.

But a Torrens Transit spokesperson says “recruitment shortages are currently a national issue and widespread across many industries”.

“We are listening to our employees and committed to resolving feedback with them so that we can continue to deliver reliable services to the community,” the spokesperson said.

The Transport Department is aware of the potential for strike which may impact on Adelaide Metro bus services in coming weeks.

“We’ve committed to keeping our customers informed of any service disruptions via all available channels once we become aware of any impact,” a department spokesperson said.

Transport Minister, Tom Koutsantonis is “disappointed to see this pay negotiation reach the point where strike action is mooted”.

“Industrial action of this nature should always be a last resort, as it can cause widespread inconvenience – particularly at this time of year,” he said.