Enough is enough, say the TWU as the union sounds out Queensland Transport Minister Rachel Nolan on how to stop bus driver attacks
September 22, 2010
Queensland-based Transport Workers Union (TWU) will press Transport Minister Rachel Nolan to act on bus driver attacks in the south of the state following another incident late last week.
An attack took place last Thursday on the Sunshine Coast and was caught on CCTV footage and while the driver sustained minor injuries, the incident has angered TWU State Secretary Hughie Williams.
The TWU’s Bus Safety Committee will push ahead on the issue, expanding its representative base of southeast Queensland bus companies, and seeking to meet Nolan to address the growing problem.
“Any assault on a bus driver is simply unacceptable,” says Williams.
“It’s a risk for the drivers themselves and it’s certainly a risk for the travelling public.”
He says some recent attacks occurred while buses were in motion.
“I don’t think the community at large realise how potentially dangerous, and common, these situations are becoming,” says Williams.
He adds drivers should be allowed to do their jobs safely.
“When the (Bus Safety) committee meets later this month we’ll have even greater representation from drivers and we’ll be making our point on safety recommendations to the Minister and TransLink,” Williams says.
“If the committee can’t make the progress on these issues, the TWU will have to look at alternative remedies.”