Dysons and CDC respond ahead of Melbourne bus strike

Both Dysons and CDC Victoria have provided the facts on their side of negotiations with the Transport Workers’ Union (TWU) ahead of tomorrow’s planned driver strike in Melbourne.

Yesterday, the TWU revealed more than 800 drivers will take protected industrial action from 3am tomorrow for 24 hours, bringing a third of Melbourne’s bus services to a standstill.

Dysons was the first operator to respond, saying it received notification of the action and that it will impact passengers in the northern corridor of metropolitan Melbourne.

“The TWU’s decision to initiate industrial action is disappointing, particularly given Dysons’ proposal for a new Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA) in March that will deliver significant wage and benefit outcomes for drivers – including a nine per cent year-one wage increase,” a Dysons spokesperson told ABC.

“Industrial action, if carried out, will cause unnecessary inconvenience to public transport bus passengers. As a family-owned business with over 73 years of delivering quality public transport and charter bus services, we’re committed to maintaining a reliable, high-quality service for our passengers. That’s why we’ve been working constructively to finalise a new EBA as soon as possible.

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“Dysons is working closely with the Department of Transport and Planning to minimise disruption to our passengers and valued customers, should this action proceed. Our intention is to operate to a modified timetable during the period of industrial action.”

Dysons says it’s important that Victorians understand the context of the action taking place. It says it has been negotiating “in good faith” with the TWU since January this year to reach a new EBA that benefits both employees and the company.

This included a “generous” maximum wage offer of a nine per cent year-one wage increase to Melbourne metropolitan drivers early in negotiations, with the goal being to provide drivers with certainty and the chance to realise the benefit of this wage increase before the latest agreement expired on March 31.

“The TWU has consistently rejected the alternative wages and conditions offer that we presented, and in a vote on Friday May 9, approximately 60 per cent of drivers did not support the proposed EBA,” Dysons says.

“Since the proposed EBA was voted down, we have received no counter offer from the union. Dysons remains committed to reach agreement on a new EBA within our current budget and mitigate any further industrial action. We urge the TWU to resume negotiations.”

CDC Victoria has also alerted the community to the upcoming disruptions, saying it will impact services across Melbourne, Geelong, Ballarat and Mildura.

The operator has encouraged passengers to check the Public Transport Victoria (PTV) website and app for the latest travel updates.

“We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience to our passengers and the broader community. We never wish for our services to be disrupted in a way that impacts those who rely on us each day,” a CDC spokesperson told ABC.

“CDC Victoria has been actively negotiating an Enterprise Agreement with the Transport Workers Union (TWU) over recent months. We remain committed to continuing these discussions in good faith and working collaboratively with the TWU to reach a fair and reasonable resolution.”