Article: Unions threaten further transport strikes

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Unions threaten further transport strikes

Unions threaten further transport strikes
CHRISTINE KELLETT
December 10, 2009 - 7:07AM

Bus drivers will return to the Industrial Relations Commission this morning in a bid to resolve a dispute which saw more than 200 drivers walk off the job, grinding peak hour services to a halt yesterday.

Thousands of bus passengers were left stranded across Brisbane's western suburbs in the afternoon when a row over a television news report sparked a snap strike.

A casual Brisbane City Council bus driver who featured on a Channel Nine report into the trapping of a young passenger in a bus door on Monday was briefly stood down before quitting yesterday, with about 220 drivers calling a stop-work at the council's Toowong depot in support.

Services resumed at 5.30pm after the Industrial Relations Commission ruled the strike was illegal and ordered the drivers back to work.

Buses have been operating normally this morning, but the Rail Tram and Bus Union's Owen Doogan said drivers were still angry.

The union will return to the Commission to convene a disputes conference this morning.

Mr Doogan said Brisbane City Council, which had immediately stood down the driver in response to the report before commencing an investigation, had handled the incident badly.

"We will be seeking to resolve this matter today," he said.

The strike came just hours after more than 1,300 Queensland Rail workers at rail yards in Ipswich, Townsville and Rockhampton walked off the job in protest of a planned public float of QR's coal and freight arm, announced by Premier Anna Bligh on Monday.

Both the RBTU and the Electrical Trades Union warned it would not rule out further strikes to make its point. However, Mr Doogan said the unions had no plans to target QR's passenger services.

QR workers say they have been dragged into the unpopular public asset sell-off, with the planned off-loading of rail depots that had previously been earmarked to stay in public hands.

Also yesterday, Australia Post was making preparations for a possible strike by postal workers early next week which may threaten the delivery of Christmas mail.

The Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union will put work stoppages and a possible strike to a vote on Monday in a bid to force Australia Post to finalise a new enterprise bargaining agreement for workers.

BP workers are protesting the petrol giant's decision to lock out its Brisbane refinery workers this  morning in a stand off over their own EBA.

BP started to lock out its Eagle Farm refinery maintenance workforce as of 6am after the two sides were unable to finalise a new union collective agreement.

In response, ETU workers will start a picket line at 8am outside the refinery.

- with Marissa Calligeros