CDC bus strike leaves commuters in the cold

TODAY’S bus strike could spread to other bus lines and into next week as school holidays end, warns a union, as drivers continue to protest pay and conditions.

THOUSANDS of commuters were left out in the cold today as bus drivers across the state walked off the job, but the union warns the strike could continue.

The 24-hour strike by CDC bus drivers began this morning after last ditch attempts to reach an agreement between the operator and the Transport Workers Union over a bitter pay dispute failed this week.

And while TWU national vice-president John Berger acknowledged the disruptions the strike would cause, he warned there could be more on the way.

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“It’s unfortunate, but if we are still unable to get this matter resolved, we will continue with work stoppages on Friday and next Tuesday and Friday,” he said.

The planned industrial action for next week, involving four-hour stoppages, would come as Victorian children return from school holidays and in coming weeks could extend to another government provider Transdev.

Bus drivers strike at the Wyndham depot in Truganina today. Picture: AAP Image/Wayne Taylor

Bus services in Ballarat, Geelong and up to 49 metropolitan bus routes across Melbourne’s west, inner east and southeast will be affected in the first job walk-off to hit the bus industry in 20 years.

After 9am, a majority of Geelong bus routes started operating to a Sunday timetable according to CDC, but the operator advised passengers to contact the depot on 5240 5000 for more information.

Non-CDC bus services and CDC’s route 400 will not be affected.

UPDATE: Bus routes in #Geelong operated by @CDCVictoria will run to a Sunday timetable, due to industrial action. Click here for a list of affected routes: https://t.co/8U14g9kql2 https://t.co/BdxN0jrsGR

— PTV (@ptv_official) July 10, 2018

There will be significant disruption to @CDCVictoria bus routes in #Melbourne today. Passengers in Wyndham, the Sunshine area & the southeastern suburbs should consider train, tram or other travel options. Click here for a list of affected routes: https://t.co/t1DsBSvl3c

— PTV (@ptv_official) July 9, 2018

Almost 600 CDC bus drivers are striking in protest over the 2.5 per cent pay rise — with the union demanding at least a 4 per cent pay boost.

Mr Berger said the company’s offer has “angered” and “insulted” members.

“These drivers work long hours from early morning to the dead of night in performing an important community service,” he said.

“The thanks they often get is being robbed and verbally and physically abused by passengers, punched, kicked, knocked unconscious, having knives and blunt objects pulled on the them with very little or no protection.”

TWU National Vice President John Berger, right, during today’s Victorian bus drivers strike. Picture: AAP Image/Wayne Taylor

Public Transport Victoria boss chief executive officer Jeroen Weimar had last week urged both parties sort out the dispute and to put passengers first.

CDC Victoria chief executive Nicholas Yap respected drivers’ rights to take action but was disappointed it would cause “such a disruption” and apologised to customers for the inconvenience.

AFFECTED ROUTES

Melbourne

Routes 150, 151, 153, 160, 161, 166, 167, 170, 180, 181, 190, 191, 192, 406, 407, 408, 409, 410, 411, 412, 414, 415, 417, 418, 419, 421, 423, 424, 425, 439, 441, 443, 461, 494, 495, 496, 497, 498, 601, 605, 606, 612, 623, 624, 625, 626, 630, 900

Ballarat

All bus routes

Geelong

Routes 1, 10, 11, 12, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 43