Adelaide bus strike risk remains after drivers put their foot down

The opposition has demanded the Premier step in to end the risk of more commuter chaos as the city’s bus drivers remain at odds with their bosses over pay.

Further strike action cannot be ruled out as the bus driver’s union entered a civil negotiation with their employer over better pay and condition with further discussions to take place.

The Transport Workers Union (TWU) and Torrens Transit negotiated terms at a meeting mediated by the Department of Transport on Tuesday morning – after about 800 bus drivers took industry action on Monday.

While there was no resolution at the meeting, TWU SA/NT branch secretary Ian Smith said it was a step in the right direction.

“It is disappointing that the company’s offer still falls woefully short of the pay and conditions drivers need to properly service our community,” he said.

“It is a disgrace that bus drivers carrying some of our most vulnerable passengers, and dealing with daily abuse, are still facing their pay and conditions going backwards at a time when cost of living is soaring.

Bus drivers on strike at the Torrens Transit St Agnes Bus Depot, Monday, Jan. 9, 2023. Picture: Matt Loxton

“We’re not ruling out any further industrial action at this stage and will be speaking with our membership on any action moving forward.”

Torrens Transit and TWU will meet on Monday for further negotiations.

“At our further meeting on Monday, the company must come back to the table with a fair and reasonable offer,” Mr Smith said.

A Torrens Transit spokesperson said: “we hope to resolve the situation with a workable solution”.

Department for Infrastructure and Transport chief executive Jon Whelan was pleased to see both parties having “robust and healthy discussions”.

“Torrens Transit have to be given the ability to come back to the unions that will occur Monday, and we believe if both parties are collaborative, we can avoid any further action,” he said.

“It was pleasing to see our buses were back in operation from this morning. These matters and always up to the delegates in the union for what other action may occur, but we would be very disappointed if (they) didn’t wait till this meeting that’s already booked in for Monday at 10am to be undertaken before any other further action was implemented.”

It comes as TWU took industrial action on Monday, a day before a scheduled meeting with Torrens Transit.

“We are disappointed the union is proceeding with strike action, particularly in the light of a planned meeting scheduled for Tuesday, 10 January 2023,” a Torrens Transit spokesperson said prior to the strike action on Monday.

“We had hoped to negotiate in good faith, and work collaboratively, however, this industrial action from the union does not demonstrate these principles and aims to inconvenience the public.”

Bus drivers at the St Agnes bus depot in a strike demanding fair pay and better working conditions. Picture: Shashi Baltutis

TWU SA/NT branch secretary Ian Smith said the decision to strike “has not been taken lightly”.

“This is a last resort, but our bus drivers have been given no choice in their fight for a fair deal and a better bus industry,” he said.

Opposition transport spokesperson Vincent Tarzia said “former union boss Peter Malinauskas must intervene in their negotiations today”.

“While thousands of South Australians were stranded without public transport during the strike, Peter Malinauskas stuck his head in the sand because he was too scared to go against his union mates.

“The strike has already caused chaos and confusion for commuters and another round of protests – which could happen when schools returns – is a recipe for traffic mayhem and South Australians will be left to count the hours in gridlock.”