Bus drivers for CDC Victoria are taking industrial action once again, with the Transport Workers’ Union (TWU) announcing a third strike to pressure the bus operator for a better deal on pay and working conditions.
The strike will begin on July 1 and is expected to severely disrupt services across Ballarat, Geelong, Mildura, and Melbourne’s south, north and western suburbs. Charter services will also be affected.
Why Are CDC Victoria Bus Drivers Striking?
The TWU says the current proposal from CDC Victoria does not meet drivers’ core demands for improved safety, fair pay, and better working conditions.
“For the hard work that we do, the current offer is a definite slap in the face,” said Jason Holmes, CDC Tullamarine union delegate. “We don’t like disrupting our passengers. But unfortunately, we’ve been pushed to this point to make CDC listen.”
The TWU has encouraged passengers to check for affected routes via the Public Transport Victoria (PTV) website.
Previous Strikes and the Dysons Deal
This is the third strike organised by the union, following a recent action that impacted over a third of Victoria’s bus network. In contrast, the Dysons bus company avoided further strikes after its workforce voted in favour of a proposed Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA).
The Dysons deal includes a 13% pay rise over three years, increased allowances, and commitments on overtime parity. The TWU says this agreement fell short of its ideal outcome but believes it is a step in the right direction for the industry.
Union: The Fight Continues
TWU director of organising for Victoria and Tasmania, Sam Lynch, says the union will keep fighting until CDC Victoria improves its offer.
“Although the Dysons agreement falls short of what we would have liked, members should be proud of the progress we made. The fight to lift pay and conditions across Victoria’s bus industry is not over yet,” Lynch said.
“Negotiations are ongoing at CDC, and the TWU will not stop until we have secured real improvements to pay and conditions for every driver. We want to get this resolved as quickly as possible. But we also want to see a deal that gives bus drivers the respect they deserve.”
For more information on service disruptions, visit the official PTV website.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal or industrial relations advice.
