Western Sydney bus drivers set for peak-hour strikes
DOZENS of western Sydney bus drivers are set to strike during the morning and afternoon peaks one day next week as a union campaign against Busways shows no signs of slowing down.
Penrith
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- Western Sydney Busways drivers to protest over pay dispute
- Busways drivers will consider more industrial action over enterprise agreement
PEAK hour bus commutes could be thrown into chaos in western Sydney next week with dozens of drivers prepared to strike as a union campaign against Busways shows no signs of slowing down.
Transport Workers Union of NSW members at Busways’ Penrith, Glendenning and Windsor depots attended stop work meetings between noon and 1pm on Friday, as part of an ongoing dispute with the company over a new enterprise agreement.
Drivers voted to again stop work on Tuesday, September 11, with participating drivers set to strike between 6-7am and a 4:30-5:30pm — in the middle of the morning and afternoon peaks.
Some drivers said they felt “bullied” by Busways at the Penrith meeting, as colleagues in Glendenning and Windsor voted unanimously to hold further strikes.
Leading official Nimrod Nyols said the next move was an “escalation” of action caused by Busways’ failure to come to the table.
“We want to minimise the impact on our members’ pockets but cause maximum disruption and embarrassment to (Busways) until they show some respect and negotiate fairly and in good faith,” he said.
Striking drivers turned off Opal card readers on Monday and Friday, but have been warned by union officials that doing so again next week could result in their pay being docked 20 per cent.
Members also voted to introduce an overtime ban — which could impact on weekend services — but won’t pressure drivers who want to take on extra shifts. Drivers will also refrain from helping to refuel buses.
On Thursday Busways managing director Byron Rowe said the company had attended several meetings over the new agreement, but said the union’s demands were “unrealistic”.
“It’s disappointing that our employees are taking industrial action on Friday while negotiations
are continuing,” he said.
Busways issued a letter to drivers today informing them they faced being docked four-hours’ pay if they deviated from their normal routes before noon and didn’t return to work at 1pm.
Busways have been contacted for comment regarding Tuesday’s potential strike.