Metro Tasmania: Bus drivers could still pursue industrial action despite $14m state budget reprieve
Metro Tasmania staff could still launch industrial action, including potential work stoppages, despite $14m being provided in the state budget for driver retention and recruitment.
Tasmania
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The union representing public transport workers says Metro Tasmania staff could still launch industrial action after the Rockliff government provided $14m in the state budget to help attract and retain drivers.
Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) Tasmanian branch secretary Byron Cubit said bus drivers were “incredibly relieved” to see that the investment would allow for the continuation of a temporary 10 per cent pay rise until a new employment agreement was reached.
But he said the budget did not “make up for a decade of chronic underfunding and mismanagement” of Metro.
An ongoing shortage of drivers across the country has seen the state-owned public transport provider embark on an aggressive recruitment campaign and implement several safety and security measures to protect its workforce.
The RTBU and Metro are in negotiations over a new pay deal and union members are currently voting in a protective action ballot that will determine whether drivers go ahead with work stoppages in a bid to secure a better agreement.
“Yesterday’s budget does not affect [the ballot] in any way, shape or form because what we need to do is lock in last year’s pay rise and then build on it,” Mr Cubit said.
“So we need additional pay rises, annual pay rises over the life of the [employment agreement]. And we need to improve the working conditions for the drivers, too.”
The protective action ballot closes on September 17.
The budget has also provided $15m to expand bus services and improve travel times, as well as $5m in funding for bus replacement in 2024-25 and a $1.4m equity contribution over four years for Metro to undertake an electric bus trial.
The government has budgeted $12.8m this financial year and $1.1m in 2025-26 for half-price bus and Derwent Ferry fares, which commenced on June 1 and will continue until June 30, 2025.
Metro CEO Katie Cooper said the funding package for Metro was “an excellent outcome” and would provide “much-needed certainty” to drivers.
“We accept, and this has been clearly communicated by the government, that we are required to identify all efficiencies within our control, which is exactly what we have been focused on achieving,” she said.
“This has also been communicated to the union during our ongoing conversations.
“We look forward to reaching an agreement with our bus operators that is fair, reasonable and affordable.”
The four Greater Hobart mayors issued a joint statement following the release of the budget on Thursday, imploring the government to do more to ensure major transport projects were delivered.
Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said it was clear that a “significant uplift in investment” would be required in the coming years to ensure the capital city’s transport system met community needs.
“With the budget now delivered, the government needs to be laser-focused on restoring and improving Metro bus services while planning for the operation of an expanded ferry network,” she said.
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Originally published as Metro Tasmania: Bus drivers could still pursue industrial action despite $14m state budget reprieve
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