200 Sunshine Coast bus drivers strike amid ’unfair’ pay dispute
Fed up Sunshine Coast bus drivers on strike over an ‘insulting’ pay dispute have unloaded on what day to day life is like behind the wheel and why they’re demanding a better wage.
Business
Don't miss out on the headlines from Business. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Sunshine Coast bus drivers say more strikes are on the cards amid a bitter pay dispute and concerning conditions where they claim to experience death threats, abuse and violence while at work.
Sunbus management shut down all services for 24 hours and apologised to its customers for the travel disruptions.
The union members gathered on Wednesday morning to call on Sunbus to renegotiate.
The union’s campaign co-ordinator Joshua Millroy said the members deserved better.
Mr Millroy said the drivers were offered pay increases of 1.75 per cent, 2.75 per cent and 1.75 per cent over three years.
“These guys are paid between $600-$700 a week based on penalty rates. They aren’t being paid much and the offer is insulting, they just want a fair pay,” Mr Millroy said.
“We really hope the company come back with a fair dinkum offer.”
Mr Millroy said the union would attempt to renegotiate with Sunbus but said there could be more strikes to come.
“It may include another full day’s strike or it may include more industrial action like overtime bans,” Mr Millroy said.
“These guys have been slogging it and have had enough.“
Sunbus employees spoke to the Sunshine Coast Daily under the condition of anonymity.
“For what we put up with it should be double,” one bus driver said.
“It’s hard going to work knowing people down south get more than us for the same job.”
Another worker said the drivers had suffered through the pandemic.
In a statement, Sunbus management apologised in advance to affected customers.
“Without a clear understanding of how many members will participate in this action, we are unable to safely guarantee reliable services,” the Sunbus statement read.
“As such, we are left with no alternative other than to suspend all services.
“We understand this will have a significant impact on the community and we apologise sincerely in advance.”
What being a bus driver is like on the Sunshine Coast.
Several Sunbus employees opened up on what day to day life as a bus driver is like on the Sunshine Coast.
“It’s miserable. We put up with fare evasion, getting spat on, swore at, abused, all we want to do is work stress free,” the employee said.
“There’s not a day that goes by when you don’t feel threatened, it’s an ongoing anxiety.
“I’ve been assaulted a couple of times, threatened to be shot. A colleague of mine was threatened to be hit with a tomahawk.
“We have all copped it, but the worst is being spit at. That takes six months of your life away.”
Another employee said customers were scared to use buses.
“People are scared, no matter the time or day, Sunshine Plaza stop is the most anti-social place,” the driver said.
“And it’s across the road from a police station.”
In March this year a driver was brutally assaulted in a brazen daylight attack at the Noosa Bus Interchange after being set upon by a member of public.
The 57-year-old driver sustained several punches to the head and body.
In February, 2020, a teenager was set upon by two juveniles and bashed and left on the road at the Maroochydore Bus Station.
In 2018, a 74-year-old bus driver was knocked out after a one-punch attack from a fare-evading passenger at Nambour.
Mr Millroy said a recent survey revealed 95 per cent of its members reported having seen or been involved in a violent incident.
“The reality is, this is an industry where drivers are likely to be assaulted,” he said.
Join the conversation
How ‘dumb luck’ launched a $1 trillion opportunity
Stonepeak founder Mike Dorrell was in the right place at the right time. But the highly sought after fund manager is rewriting the rules on infrastructure.
Read more
Music fest, 100km run: Participants set to swelter as events ramp up
With a scorching 34 degrees forecast and a chance of rain predicted, people going to the much-loved Big Pineapple festival and athletes competing in the Blackall100 should prepare for anything.
Read more