Sydney bus strike leaves southwestern commuters stranded

STATE transport minister Andrew Constance has asked “why the hell” bus drivers chose to strike during peak hour, inconveniencing passengers on their way to work, school and the airport.

• Bus drivers threaten rolling strikes

STATE transport minister Andrew Constance has struck out angrily after western Sydney commuters were caught in the chaos of a major bus strike today.

Many waited for buses that never came as Transit Systems drivers took buses off the roads between 7am and 9am, and 2pm and 4pm.

Drivers went on strike because they have been unable to negotiate a new wage agreement with Transit Systems.

“Why the hell didn’t they hold their stop work meeting out of peak hour at 10am?” Mr Constance asked.

“I am disappointed workers and schoolkids were inconvenienced by the Transport Workers Union striking during the morning peak.”

State transport minister Andrew Constance.

Liverpool resident Joseph Pellizzeri, 48, was on his way to catch a flight from Sydney Airport — and had no idea the strike was taking place.

Mr Pellizzeri had waited 45 minutes for the T80 service to Liverpool when the Liverpool Leader spoke to him.

“There hasn’t been enough correspondence,” Mr Pellizzeri said.

“We shouldn’t be suffering — the people going on strike should have made more effort to inform people.”

In the middle of a widespread bus strike, Joseph Pellizzeri waited for a T80 bus to take him to Liverpool where he will then go to the airport to fly out of Sydney.

Transit Systems CEO Clint Feuerherdt apologised for inconvenience caused by the union strike.

“The stoppage was timed by the union to cause maximum disruption to our peak period and school services,” Mr Feuerherdt said.

“We are doing everything possible to minimise the disruption to services.”

Commuters waited for a bus on the T80 line, unaware that no buses would come until 9am when the widespread bus strike concluded.

Transport Workers Union NSW secretary Richard Olsen said the company had ignored drivers’ concerns.

“Our members are seeking that Transit Systems renegotiate the industry agreement and ensure drivers are paid on par with the rest of the industry,” Mr Olsen said.

“It is time these bus drivers are given a fair go.”

TWU assistant secretary Mick Pieri thanked the workers for their strike this morning.

However, Mr Constance said he had been advised the only thing holding up the payment of backpay to bus drivers was a last minute decision to overturn an enterprise agreement supported by the majority of drivers.

“For customers’ sake I hope the operator and the union can come to an agreement as soon as possible,” Mr Constance said.

Mr Feuerherdt confirmed 56 per cent of drivers had agreed to an enterprise agreement that included pay increases, $1000 pre-tax bonuses and back pay.

“The new Transit Systems enterprise agreement contains pay rates that are higher than its closest competitors and higher than other agreements in Sydney that the TWU has previously endorsed,” Mr Feuerheldt said.

“However, the Transit Systems enterprise agreement ... does not favour union members over non union members, hence the resistance from the TWU.”

Bus drivers from Transit Systems went on strike today.

Mr Feuerherdt said all funds owed to Transit Systems drivers were being accrued and would be passed on once the enterprise agreement was in place.

“The new process to expedite the enterprise agreement approval is well underway,” Mr Feuerheldt said.

“It is hopefully only a matter of weeks before the agreement is once again voted on and pay rises effected.”

A Transport for NSW spokesman said the department had closely monitored the situation from the start and had published advice on web pages and social media to assist affected travellers.

“Customers are advised to follow the latest information on affected services through transportnsw.info, social media, or by calling 131 500,” the spokesman said.

“The industrial action may have flow-on affects outside the stop-work periods, so customers are advised to allow for extra travel time when planning their journey.”