Drivers set to strike again over Busways pay dispute

BUS drivers in western Sydney are set to go on a four-hour strike on Friday as a pay dispute with Busways rolls on. It follows peak hour protests last week, as the company is accused of “scare tactics”.

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BUS services in western Sydney are set for another day of disruption, with drivers set to go on a four-hour strike on Friday as an ongoing pay dispute with Busways rolls on.

Busways and the Transport Workers’ Union of NSW met today with the Fair Work Commission in an attempt to settle on a new enterprise agreement, but it is understood the meeting was unsuccessful.

Several drivers from Busways’ Penrith, Blacktown, Windsor, Gosford and Wyong depots will stop work between 10am and 2pm tomorrow, while the union has voted to upkeep bans on overtime and drivers assisting with bus refuelling.

Bus drivers at a stop work meeting at Penrith's Busways depot as part of an ongoing dispute over a new enterprise agreement.

Some services will also have Opal card readers turned off, as part of the protest.

Ahead of today’s meeting, Transport Workers’ Union of NSW secretary Richard Olsen said any inconvenience to the public was “is in the hands of the Busways management”.

“Any disruption can be avoided if Busways agree to our members’ claim for industry standards when we meet with them at the commission,” he said.

“If Busways choose to not agree and not negotiate further then it is clear to our members that Busways are committed to their pathway of trying to initiate a brawl.”

Transport Workers’ Union of NSW secretary Richard Olsen said Busways was using ‘scare tactics’.

Routes in Blacktown will be affected.

It follows stop work action during peak times last Tuesday.

Mr Olsen said that Busways had docked participating drivers four-hours’ pay for taking part in that “protected action”, which he claimed contravened the Fair Work Act.

“Busways’ scare tactics will not work, and we won’t let them get away with it,” he said.

Busways managing director Byron Rowe said the company would make “every effort” to minimise service disruptions on Friday.

Busways’ managing director said it would try to minimise disruption to customers.

“It’s disappointing protected action is still taking place despite Busways’ numerous attempts to negotiate, including seeking the assistance of the Fair Work Commission,” he said.

“Our focus is on progressing negotiations with the TWU and minimising the impact of any disruptions on our customers.”

Busways was contacted for comment regarding Mr Olsen’s allegations of pay docking.