ASU says Metro no longer negotiating in ‘good faith’ over bargaining agreement

Tasmania’s Australian Services Union will lodge a dispute with the Fair Work Commission over negotiations with Metro. Find out why.

Bus traffic in Elizabeth Street in Hobart. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE.

The Australian Services Union (ASU) Tasmania branch is calling time on what it’s labelled ‘contemptuous treatment’ by Metro management, lodging a Good Faith Bargaining dispute with the Fair Work Commission on Tuesday.

The ASU represents Metro’s administrative, customer service and operational staff in late August announced its joint industrial action alongside the Tasmanian branches of the Rail Tram and Bus Union and the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union.

ASU state secretary Tash Wark said bargaining attempts with Metro had gone further downhill, despite the latest injection of $14.1m from the state budget for recruitment and retention.

Australian Services Union Tasmanian branch secretary Tash Wark. Picture: Supplied

‘If you can’t even tell the union what the minimum rates of pay are for workers covered by the agreement, there is no way for us to bargain fairly,” she said.

“Negotiations between employees and the company were frustratingly close, with the gap

between the 65 employees covered by the wage claims and the current wage offer is less than the CEO’s annual salary.”

Ms Wark said a recent move by Metro to force a vote on the wage agreement left a sour taste in her mouth.

She said it was a sign of Metro management continuing to treat its workforce with contempt.

“On the day of the state budget, before the $14.1m was announced to help with staffing at

Metro, Metro sat at the bargaining table with unions and attempted to unilaterally declare an

impasse in negotiations and force a staff vote,” she said.

Metro Tasmania buses – File pics, MTT, bus driver, passengers, bus ticket, Elizabeth Street bus mall. PIC: MATT THOMPSON

“This was despite a number of claims being far from resolved and requests for information from the ASU not being met.”

Suggested industrial action from both the ASU and RTBU representing drivers includes staff refusing to collect fares or take payment at Metro shops, effectively making public transport free during the action.

However, Ms Wark still expressed concern about the current cancelled bus routes.

“At the end of the day workers across all areas of Metro want to help the community but they

need to be able to meet their basic living expenses,” she said.

“Years of capped wage increases have driven wages and conditions down, an adjustment to

reflect this is desperately needed.

“If you can’t roster or support the operations of a bus and train drivers, you can’t keep buses on the road, if you can’t staff the Metro shop or answer the calls, you can’t service the public’s needs.”

A Metro spokesman said it took its offer to a vote due to an “impasse in negotiations” that began in February 2024.

“Voting is currently open through a secret ballot and closes at 5pm on Wednesday,” they said.

“Metro’s offer currently includes a wage increase of seven per cent, 3.5 per cent and 3.5 per cent, as well as improvements to a number of conditions of employment.

“We look forward to delivering an agreement for our staff that is fair, reasonable and affordable.

“Metro has and will continue to negotiate in good faith.”

Originally published as ASU says Metro no longer negotiating in ‘good faith’ over bargaining agreement