Stabbings and thrown rocks: Workplace violence leads Territory bus drivers to take industrial action

Bus drivers employed by CDC need “urgent change” and protection says, Transport Workers’ Union NT branch secretary, Sam McIntosh.

Transport Workers’ Union organiser, Barry Norton, with SA/NT branch members at CDC are taking protected action from Monday. Picture: Transport Workers’ Union

Bus drivers working for bus operator CDC in the Territory are taking protected industrial action after facing daily “unacceptably dangerous” conditions.

The Transport Workers’ Union (TWU) said the decision to take action comes after months of negotiations with CDC for a new enterprise agreement.

However, the union said any proposition has failed to bring working conditions in line with accepted standards across the industry such as including loadings when driving on weekends and when working overtime.

Especially since the job for many drivers has become “increasingly dangerous” and demanding.

Of the union members who voted in the protected action ballot, 97 per cent of members supported taking protected industrial action.

This follows after the current enterprise agreement expired in June 2025.

Drivers who are members of TWU are expected to display posters in buses explaining their campaign for better working conditions.

They will also wear and display campaign branded high visibility vests on board buses.

Sam McIntosh, TWU SA/NT branch secretary, said there have been many cases in the last year which have harmed drivers or passengers.

“Every day our members carry out the vital job of transporting Territorians, including many of the most vulnerable members,” Mr McIntosh said.

“Our drivers are fighting for a better, fairer and safer network and deserve the same terms and conditions that exist across the wider industry.

“We’ve seen over many years just how difficult and frankly unacceptably dangerous this job is.

“In the past year, we’ve had a member kicked in the head while driving a bus, a passenger stabbed with scissors, an attempted stabbing of a bus drivers and just a few weeks ago, a rock was thrown through a bus window injuring a child.

“Buses are workplaces and every day our drivers do a terrific job while working under difficult and dangerous conditions.”

The union has not ruled out escalating industrial action which could include stoppages if negotiations do not improve.

“We’re looking forward to starting a conversation with our community about our campaign for urgent change,” Mr McIntosh added.

“Taking industrial action is always a last resort and we’re disappointed that it has come to this, but our members had no choice but to make a powerful statement that enough is enough. “We deserve industry standards and to be safe at work.”