Metro Tasmania mayhem: Mechanic on latest gripe over bus service dramas, staff shortages
A Metro mechanic has told a stop work meeting that colleagues cannot take leave because of staff shortages and an exodus of highly qualified mechanics. Details
Tasmania
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A Metro mechanic has told a stop work meeting that colleagues cannot take leave because of staff shortages and an exodus of highly qualified mechanics – but Metro has expressed disappointment in the industrial action saying unions want a 43 per cent pay rise.
Andrew, who has worked at Metro for more than 10 years, said morale was “very low” in what had once been a very stable workforce that had seen a 60 per cent staff turnover in the past 18 months and now had 30 per cent vacancies “that are unable to be filled”..
“We can’t take leave, because if we take leave, there’s no one there to cover our leave to fill those gaps and that impacts our work,” he said.
“We have two or three vacancies on each team, which effectively is 30 per cent but we’re not letting it impact our safety, we’ll never let that happen.
“People are going elsewhere and getting paid better money and working Monday to Friday, no weekends, no afternoon shifts.”
Metro CEO Katie Cooper said she was disappointed that the AMWU had taken industrial action when Metro had been negotiating for a new agreement that was “fair, affordable and reasonable”.
‘Metro’s offer was based on careful analysis of Enterprise Bargaining Agreements – both in Tasmania and Interstate and represents a significant increase to the base rate,” she said.
“In recognition of our engineer’s contribution to our business, to address the current cost of living pressures and to ensure continuity of Metro’s business, Metro took the proactive step this week to approve a significant salary increase to meet current market expectations, effective immediately.
“For the majority of our engineers they will receive a 10.22 per cent increased market adjustment for year 1.
“Unfortunately, the parties remain apart on a number of matters with the union seeking a 43 per cent increase.”
Australian Manufacturing workers union state organiser Jacob batt said the union had done a “myriad of investigations” and Metro’s pay offer amounted to a “30 per cent pay cut”.
He said heavy vehicle mechanics are being offered $7-10 an hour less than the industry rate of pay for their trade
“This is not about a one hour stop work meeting.
Metro Mechanics are being offered an effective 30 percent pay cut.
They have been forced into industrial action in order to fund, fix and save Metro. which is being driven into the ground.”
Transport Minister Michael Ferguson said “cooler heads’ needed to prevail and “nobody’s getting 43 per cent pay rises.”
Labor transport spokesman Josh Willie said with a shortage of drivers and mechanics stopping work “it’s clear Metro needs support”.
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