Geelong bus routes cancelled as drivers strike

Geelong bus users will face major disruption on Tuesday, as a negotiation standstill between bus operator CDC Victoria and the Transport Workers’ Union continues. See which routes are affected.

CDC bus drivers will strike on Tuesday.

Geelong bus users will face major disruption on Tuesday, as a negotiation standstill between bus operator CDC Victoria and the Transport Workers’ Union continues.

School bus routes will not be affected and will run as usual.

All other bus routes operated by CDC across Geelong, spanning Deakin University to Lara, will not run on Tuesday.

The affected routes are: 1, 10, 11, 12, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25 and 43.

Services run by other bus operators, including McHarry’s, will not be affected and will run to a normal timetable.

Train and tram services will also run as normal.

Tuesday’s strike in the third taken by TWU members in recent weeks as they continue to demand better conditions and pay.

Bus driver and union delegate Jason Holmes said the current offer for drivers was “a definite slap in the face”.

“We don’t like disrupting our passengers. But unfortunately, we’ve been pushed to this point to make CDC listen,” he said.

TWU is urging CDC Victoria to act swiftly to avoid any disruption to Victorian commuters.

Passengers are advised to consider whether other transport alternatives may be required on Tuesday.

Real-time traffic conditions are available at traffic.transport.vic.gov.au.

In late May, Geelong schools were left blindside after CDC gave less than 12 hours’ notice about a statewide strike.

Union delegates met with representatives from CDC Victoria in mid-June for last ditch talks before a planned stoppage in June, however an agreement could not be met.

Industrial action went ahead on June 16, but was reduced from a planned two-day stoppage to one day.

“Negotiations are ongoing at CDC, and the TWU will not stop until we have secured real improvements to pay and conditions for every driver,” TWU organiser Sam Lynch said at the time.

“We’re putting CDC and the entire bus industry on notice.”

Originally published as Geelong bus routes cancelled as drivers strike