Thousands of commuters brace for chaos before planned bus strikes

A third of Victoria’s bus network will be disrupted on Wednesday as more than 800 bus drivers strike amid escalating tensions over a new pay deal.

Thousands of commuters will be left stranded on Wednesday, with a third of Victoria’s bus network to be disrupted by striking drivers amid an ongoing pay dispute.

From 3am Wednesday, more than 800 drivers will refuse to get behind the wheel, which is likely to cause chaos across the network, especially in Melbourne’s outer west.

The strike is set to finish at 3am Thursday.

Public Transport Victoria warned Victorians to expect disruptions.

A third of Victoria’s bus network is set to be disrupted by striking drivers. Picture: David Caird

The agency said no metropolitan or regional bus services operated by CDC Victoria were planned to run, except for select school bus services.

The school bus services operating include ones in Oakleigh, Elsternwick, and Brighton areas, as well as the Sydenham and Sunshine areas, and the Essendon and Glenroy areas.

However, school bus services in Geelong, Ballarat, and the Wyndham Vale, Werribee, and Altona areas will not operate.

Most metropolitan bus services operated by Dysons will follow a Saturday timetable, with extra services available in the morning.

School bus services will continue to operate as scheduled. Additionally, services provided by Dysons in Sale, Bairnsdale, Shepparton, Wodonga, and the surrounding areas will run as usual.

The move comes after workers, backed by the Transport Workers Union, have failed to clinch a deal with two of the state’s biggest bus companies despite negotiations ongoing since January and a generous pay deal put on the table.

In March, the Dyson Group and CDC Victoria, which run hundreds of bus services across the state, offered a 9 per cent one-year pay rise followed by increases matching inflation, but the deal was voted down by workers in a shock move.

TWU Victorian/Tasmanian Director of Organising Sam Lynch said the terms issued by the companies “fall short”.

“Our members have been patient, but that patience has run out,” he said.

“It’s time for CDC and Dyson to stop dragging their feet and start listening to workers’ calls for respect and a fair day’s pay.”

“We’re standing together to lift the standard across Victoria’s bus network and improve wages, conditions and safety for every driver,” he said.

However, the Dyson Group has hit back saying the action was unnecessary and the strike being pushed by the union will impact thousands of commuters.

Starting Wednesday more than 800 drivers will refuse to get behind the wheel. Picture: Susan Windmiller

“The TWU’s decision to initiate industrial action is disappointing, particularly given Dysons’ proposal for anew Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA) in March that will deliver significant wage and benefit outcomes for drivers – including a 9 per cent year-one wage increase.

“We made our generous maximum wage offer of a 9 per cent year-one wage increase to our Melbourne metropolitan drivers early in our negotiations, with the goal of providing drivers with certainty and the ability to realise the benefit of this wage increase before the expiry of the current agreement on 31 March.

“The TWU has consistently rejected the alternative wages and conditions offer that we presented.

“Industrial action, if carried out, will cause unnecessary inconvenience to public transport bus passengers.”

Up to 60 per cent of drivers voted down the offer on May 9.

However, the company said the union had made no counter offer after the terms were voted down and has instead pursued strike action.

Originally published as Thousands of commuters brace for chaos before planned bus strikes