- NSW bus drivers commence a 24-hour strike as Sydney commuters are warned to stay home due to traffic delays
- Bus workers are seeking same-job same-pay protections and adequate fatigue and toilet breaks and protesting against violence against drivers
- It has been reported more than 1,000 bus drivers have walked off the job
- Transport for NSW says all affected routes will run on a reduced timetable and is urging commuters to use other travel alternatives where they can
New South Wales bus drivers have gone on strike, with Sydneysiders warned to stay home due to expected traffic delays.
The 24-hour strike is part of a dispute between transport unions and the State Government over pay and conditions, which include same-job same-pay protections, stop violence against drivers and adequate fatigue and toilet breaks.
It has been reported more than 1,000 bus drivers have walked off the job, causing disruptions in bus routes at the start of the working week.
Transport for NSW says all affected routes will run on a reduced timetable and is urging commuters to use other travel alternatives where they can.
Bus services will run to a reduced timetable in the inner-west, The Hills district as well as North, South and Western Sydney.
Thousands of NSW bus drivers have made the tough decision to strike today!
— Unions NSW (@unionsnsw) April 11, 2022
Workers are calling for same-job same-pay protections, action to stop violence against drivers, and adequate fatigue and toilet breaks.
Minister David Elliot controls the purse strings and can fix this. pic.twitter.com/2DEbxB7Yij
The union is calling for a maximum of 12-hour shifts, a minimum of 10 hours between shifts, more breaks, better training and equal pay for drivers doing the same job.
“Central to drivers’ demands are same-job same-pay protections, as the current system sees some drivers receiving substantially lower pay and conditions than others working in the same depot, driving the same routes,” TWU State Secretary Richard Olsen said.
“Across the industry Bus Drivers are also questioning their own safety at work and the safety of their passengers as the NSW Government has not taken its share of responsibility to provide adequate training, reduction of violence against bus drivers and the provision of adequate fatigue management conditions.”