Metro services threatened by potential industrial action

The growing stand-off in enterprise bargaining agreement negotiations could bring bus services across Tasmania to a halt as more unions pursue industrial action. Find out why.

Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union Tasmania Organiser Jacob Batt shared his disappointment at Metro mechanics' exclusion from state government funding for competitive salaries.

Metro Tasmania bus drivers and administrative staff will join mechanics in taking industrial action after negotiations over new Enterprise Bargaining Agreements (EBAs) have come to a halt.

The Tasmanian branches of the Rail Tram and Bus Union and the Australian Services Union filed paperwork this week to obtain Protected Action Bargaining Orders with the Fair Work

Commission.

This would allow Metro Tasmania employees to soon vote on a range of industrial actions, which could include work stoppages, fare collection bans and overtime bans.

It comes as negotiations approach the six-month mark for bus drivers and their union representatives, and over 12 months for mechanics.

RTBU Tasmania Branch Secretary Byron Cubit said workers still hoped to secure a fair and reasonable deal through the bargaining process, but said time was rapidly running out.

“Last year’s temporary pay rise for bus drivers slowed the exodus of drivers, but it hasn’t delivered the workforce boost that Metro needs to reinstate hundreds of suspended services,” he said.

“The only way to restore Metro’s workforce is to lock in last year’s pay rise for drivers and build on it through new EBAs that deliver fair pay, safer work conditions and better support for all staff.”

Sam Batchelor Tasmanian co-ordinator Australian Services Union with a parking meter in Salamanca Place. Hobart City Council parking officers say the city's parking management system is not working and they are stressed because they're issuing fines to people who have done nothing wrong. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

ASU Tasmanian Coordinator Samantha Batchelor said Metro workers made a huge contribution to the Tasmanian community and deserved to be treated fairly.

“Metro Tasmania is a vital public service for Tasmanians – helping people to get where they need to go, and helping reduce transport congestion,” she said.

“If you can’t roster or support the operations of a bus, 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.

“That’s why a genuine fix for Metro has to include all Metro workers.”

AMWU State Secretary Jacob Batt said Metro Tasmania has refused to pay mechanics an industry rate of pay, despite a recruitment and retention crisis and mechanics’ 100 per cent rejection of Metro’s “subpar” wages offer.

Jacob Batt, Australian Manufacturing WorkersÕ Union State Organiser. Picture: Chris Kidd

“The Rockliff Government has overseen a recruitment and retention crisis across all areas of Metro Tasmania,” he said.

“Drivers are facing a pay cut, admin staff are struggling under high workloads, and mechanics continue to be paid up to $10 an hour below industry standards.”

A recent employee communique sent out by Metro also stated that ongoing funding for the temporary 10 per cent wage increase at Metro allocated in the upcoming State Budget was based on negotiation parties finding “efficiencies” for the wage increase.

The communique went on to state Metro had identified areas “that may achieve these efficiencies” to provide a commitment to the 10 per cent wage increase, but said unions “refused to negotiate” on the matter.

Rosny bus mall, Metro bus and Tasmania Police. Picture: Chris Kidd

A Metro spokesman has said it is negotiating in good faith with all bargaining representatives and ensures its offers are “fair, reasonable and affordable”.

Minister for Transport Eric Abetz has said the government is supportive of Metro’s commitment to an ongoing 10 per cent wage increase, but said it expected Metro to identify savings in their control.

“In light of ongoing negotiations between Metro and the union, it should come as no surprise that the Government would expect that Metro should identify any and all efficiencies that are within its control and apply these,” he said.

“The union has an important role to play in helping to identify savings and we encourage both parties to work collaboratively to come to an agreement.

“Additional funding to support the delivery of the commitment is being worked through as part of the upcoming State Budget.”