BY ANTHONY BENBOW
PERTH — Metropolitan bus drivers here are fighting back against years of low pay and worsening conditions. At an April 18 stop-work meeting, drivers from three bus companies — Perth Bus, Path Transit and Southern Coast Transit — voted to strike until April 23. Picket lines have been set up at many bus depots.
The drivers have solid backing from the Transport Workers Union, and Unions WA, formally known as the Western Australia Trades and Labor Council, has also pledged its support. TWU organiser Mick Knowles announced that "We have had members of the public ringing up, wanting to know where the picket lines are so they can go and support the drivers."
Drivers are facing company speed-ups on routes, denial of rest periods and increased stress, which has resulted in family and health breakdowns in some cases. This situation is a direct result of the 1995 decision by former Premier Richard Court's Coalition government to privatise the operation of Transperth buses. The government still owns most of the buses being used by the private bus companies.
In 1995 Transperth drivers fought hard against privatisation but were defeated. Many drivers left the industry as jobs were cut. Drivers' pay and conditions dropped immediately after privatisation as they were forced off the old Public Transport Union award and onto the general transport award. Public transport became more expensive with fare increases and reduced ticket validity time.
In November, the drivers won paid rest breaks during busy periods. Under the agreement, a paid 10-minute fatigue break was to occur in the middle of the busy part of the shift. Bus companies have been obstructing the spirit of this agreement by scheduling the breaks near the start or end of a shift, and by giving drivers the break at remote depots which have no toilets! Drivers often have to endure five or six hours on the bus with no access to toilet facilities.
Another area of concern is rostering. Knowles recounted some shocking examples. A Southern Coast Transit driver worked for 30 straight days with no days off. A Path Transit driver had only 19 single days off in a five-month period, before finally being given two consecutive days off. Some companies altered rosters over Easter to minimise drivers' public holiday pay rates. Path Transit's Graeme Bryce told drivers this was "good business" practice.
On April 19 Premier Geoff Gallop's new state Labor government announced that Worksafe and the government audit office would monitor travel times on bus routes and set fair times. If any bus operator is found in breach of these times, their operating license will be withdrawn, according to government spokespeople. It could take a very long time to audit the thousands of individual bus routes and stops.
The government has also sidestepped the issue of taking bus operations back into public control. A government spokesperson claimed that existing contracts still had 12 to 14 years to run.