More than 3200 bus drivers set to to walk off job as TWU ramps up pay dispute

Thousands of bus drivers around Victoria have threatened to walk off the job amid escalating tensions over a new pay deal and better working conditions.

TWU Victoria Tasmania assistant secretary Mem Suleyman and members during the 2018 bus strikes.

Victoria’s bus network could grind to a halt and spark commuter chaos as more than 3200 drivers threaten to walk off the job.

The issue is set to create an unwanted problem in a state election year after bus disputes sparked headaches for Labor in 2018.

The militant Transport Workers Union is negotiating new pay deals with every major passenger bus company in Victoria and is proposing to strike as it pushes for wage increases, improved conditions and a better work-life balance.

Rolling strikes would create chaos for hundreds of thousands of bus commuters and gridlock for drivers as more people are forced to use cars.

The negotiations includes the states biggest passenger operator Kinetic, which replaced Transdev on a new contract with the state.

TWU Victoria Tasmania secretary Mike Mcness.

Other votes for protected industrial action are at Ventura, CDC and Dysons, with more than 3200 bus drivers represented across all businesses.

If workers at all companies walk off the job at once during these negotiations, it could be one of the biggest strikes in recent memory.

Union members are currently voting over the strike action, with results known next month, but it is expected the protected industrial action will receive popular support.

The TWU is seeking to replicate negotiations held with trucking companies last year in which they secured inflation guarantees that boosted wages alongside the consumer price index.

Since then, labour shortages, supply chain pressures and the conflict in Ukraine have pushed up the CPI and delivered larger pay increases to workers in these sectors.

TWU state secretary Mike McNess said wages need to keep up with the rising cost of living.

“These are the claims of the essential bus drivers who have fronted up every day of the pandemic,” he said.

“They have risked their own health and the health of their families to make sure that Victorians kept moving.

“In turn, they are asking for fair conditions and financial security for the future.

“Bus operators and the Victorian government know that TWU members have been integral to essential public transport services continuing throughout the pandemic.”

Kinetic’s southern executive general manager, Daniel Head, said the company remained committed to negotiating a fair deal.

“Since we took over operations of the Melbourne Bus Franchise only seven weeks ago we have been meeting with the TWU regularly and in good faith,” he said.

“We respect the industrial process and everyone’s right to participate in protected action, but only after negotiations have failed to reach an agreement.”

In 2018, the government had to scramble at the 11th hour to intervene in multiple bus pay deals and avoid a damaging series of shutdowns before it went to the polls.

Disgruntled bus operators also drove buses around Melbourne attacking Premier Daniel Andrews.