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Newcastle bus drivers to strike

Bus drivers in NSW will stop driving this Friday over a pay dispute

Newcastle bus drivers say they are prepared to walk off the job and strike against Keolis Downer for four hours this Friday.

Workers driving through Newcastle have unanimously voted down the latest pay offer from Keolis Downer, meaning buses won’t run between 10am and 2pm on June 3 in the New South Wales area.

The Rail Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) says Keolis Downer’s latest offer to its drivers is insufficient and that its members are becoming more frustrated about the treatment they are receiving at the hands of the public transport company.

RTBU members say they can’t earn a decent living wage and are having their claims ignored by Keolis Downer.

The RTBU NSW tram and bus division president Daniel Jaggers says Keolis Downer isn’t considering increasing drivers’ wages despite costs rising, as he alleges the company of making drivers work more to earn more money.

“Keolis Downer had tried to sell their latest enterprise agreement offer by telling drivers they could forgo their Sunday and supplement their income by taking on a voluntary shift,” Jaggers says.

“This is basically them saying we won’t pay you more because you deserve it.”


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Jaggers says this stance has forced drivers to take protected industrial action to pressure Keolis Downer to pay a more suitable wage that is appropriate to hours worked.

The RTBU president also slammed the NSW government for allowing for Keolis Downer to use privatisation to underpay its workers.

“The RTBU is calling on minister David Elliott to have these contracts readjusted to ensure our members receive a living wage,” Jaggers says.

The RTBU apologies for inconveniences and has timed the strike for the middle of the day to reduce impacts had on peak services, as Jaggers says parents can be assured that drivers will be working to get kids to and from school.

The union says it can’t rule out further action if there is no negotiated solution reached soon.

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