Sunbus, Surfside & Veolia Industrial issues

[Sunbus610]

Fair dinkum, is it ever going to end??
Next bus strike planned for Monday, 8th August 2011

Strike action to hit buses again
2nd August 2011 | Sunshine Coast Daily

Sunbus workers will strike this week, stopping buses for Friday and Monday.

Sunbus drivers protest over conditions earlier this year. The TWU will launch industrial action this Friday and Monday.

Sunbus workers will refuse to do overtime this week, potentially crippling public transport across the Sunshine Coast.

According to Sunbus owners Transit Australia Group, it has learned today that industrial action is planned by workers for this Friday and the following Monday.

The TWU has instigated a ban on overtime once again, and as a result Sunbus operations will be shutdown to protect the safety of thousands of commuters who would otherwise be left stranded.

TAG will be making a further statement over the next 24 hours regarding the shutdown.

It is vital passengers contact Translink on 13 12 30 or visit www.translink.com.au or www.sunbus.com.au for travel updates.

While Sunbus do not hold the school transport service contract, students who do use Sunbus to get to and from school must make alternative arrangements in the event the strike proceeds.

Passengers of Buslink (dedicated school services); Hinterland Connect, Maleny-Landsborough-Beerwah, Council Cabs and FlexiLink services will not be affected.

The workers took similar industrial action during New Years Eve celebrations this year and again in mid-January.

Article source:- SUNSHINE COAST DAILY

TWU Industrial Action Notice:- TAG WEBSITE

[Sunbus610]

No Coast buses for 14 days?

http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/story/2011/08/04/no-coast-buses-for-14-days-strike-pay-dispute/

[ozbob]

http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-updates/bulletin/1312329537

No Sunshine Coast Sunbus services

No Sunshine Coast Sunbus bus services will operate due to industrial action on the following days:

    Friday 5 August
    Monday 8 August
    Tuesday 9 August

All 28 Sunbus services will be affected and major transport disruptions are anticipated for Sunshine Coast passengers.

Services will resume as scheduled over the weekend, from Saturday 6 August, and again on Wednesday 10 August.
Passengers are encouraged to plan ahead:

    Parents and guardians should also ensure they make alternative travel arrangements for students who catch Sunbus services to and from schools. School services run by BusLink will not be affected.
    Make alternative travel arrangements; consider car pooling, walking and/or cycling.
    Consider rescheduling appointments or non-essential travel where you are reliant on public transport.
    If you're going out on Friday night please remember late night services will also be affected.

Not affected:

    Students who catch a dedicated school bus route, run by BusLink, will not be affected.
    Hinterland Connect, Maleny-Landsborough-Beerwah, Council Cabs and FlexiLink services are not affected and will run as scheduled.
    Passengers for these services are reminded that any connecting Sunbus services will not operate.

Please check back regularly for the latest information, or call TransLink on 13 12 30 for updates before travelling.
Affected Services

    Route 600
    Route 601 (Sunbus)
    Route 603 (Sunbus)
    Route 605 (Sunbus)
    Route 615
    Route 607 (Sunbus)
    Route 636
    Route 609
    Route 610
    Route 616
    Route 617
    Route 618
    Route 619
    Route 620
    Route 626
    Route 627
    Route 628
    Route 629
    Route 630
    Route 631
    Route 632
    Route 639
    Route 613
    Route 622
    Route 602 (Sunbus)
    Route 614
    Route 612

[ozbob]

From the Sunshine Coast Daily click here!

Bus row set to go to the top

Bus row set to go to the top

Mark Furler | 5th August 2011

THE company behind Sunbus services on the Sunshine Coast says it will seek federal intervention to end an industrial dispute crippling public transport in the region.

Transit Australia Group said it had yesterday written to the Transport Workers Union offering a high level meeting next week to resolve the ongoing pay dispute.

But the TWU questioned the company's resolve, saying while it had met weekly to end the Gold Coast dispute, it had only had about seven meetings in 16 months on the Sunshine Coast.

TWU official Bob Giddens said there was no reason for Sunbus services to be shut down completely today because drivers had only imposed a ban on voluntary overtime, not rostered overtime.

But TAG area manager John Morrisey said Sunbus could not risk another Daniel Morcombe situation. "That would come back to haunt us 1000 times if we left a child on the side of the road."

However, the TWU said Sunbus had done just that earlier this year when it cancelled services without notice amid a fuel shortage during the floods.

But the bus company said the services had been cancelled at 2pm because of safety issues in the rain.

Mr Morrisey said bus services could not operate during the current industrial action because of the high rate of absenteeism of drivers, which he put at up to 30%.

He said if 10 drivers called in sick today, as was the average, about 150 bus services would be disrupted.

A number of Sunbus drivers contacted the Daily to point out they did not want to inconvenience passengers – even offering to take a cancer patient featured in the Daily's story yesterday to hospital today in their own vehicle.

"I am willing to go and pick that lady up and take her to Brisbane and bring her home," a driver, who asked not to be named, said.

Sunbus' parent company said if the TWU continued to take industrial action, it would seek the intervention of the Federal Minister for Workplace Relations Chris Evans to make a Ministerial declaration to terminate the industrial action.

TAG said its pay offer was final.

ANY CENTS IN BUS PAY ROW?

SUNBUS drivers are paid $19.73 an hour. The TWU has requested a pay increase of 4% a year, plus increased weekend penalty rates and backpay. It says it amounts to 79 cents an hour, 82 cents in the following year and 86 cents in the year after plus extra penalties.

Sunbus' parent company has offered 4% this year, 3.5% next, and 3.5% the year after, plus increasing weekend penalty rates and 13 months backpay.

[ozbob]

Twitter

Robert_Dow Robert Dow
No buses on the Sunshine Coast AGAIN, hopeless! --> http://t.co/AJPgGNg @AnnastaciaMP @TheQldPremier
7 seconds ago

[ozbob]

Twitter

abcsunshine ABC Sunshine Coast
by 612brisbane
"No bus services until the overtime ban is over" say Sunbus aka Transit Australia Group. @612Brisbane
31 minutes ago

[achiruel]

I think perhaps TransLink should try to get another company or companies to at least run some services on the Sunshine Coast while this is going on.  Maybe BusLink & KBL could do some of the major routes like Landsborough to Caloundra, Nambour to Maroochydore, Caloundra to Maroochydore, Nambour to Noosa etc.  Even if it was only hourly or something, it would be better than nothing.

[Arnz]

A bare service covering the 605/615 (Landsborough to Caloundra/Maroochydore), and limited trunk-route service (possibly hourly) 600/620 (Caloundra to Maroochydore/Maroochydore to Noosa) and 610/616 (Nambour to Kawana via Maroochydore/University to Maroochydore via Buderim) would probably do considering most company's fleets are stretched.  

It would give the operators with school fleets (Buslink, KBL, CBL, etc) something to do.

[SurfRail]

I think perhaps TransLink should try to get another company or companies to at least run some services on the Sunshine Coast while this is going on.  Maybe BusLink & KBL could do some of the major routes like Landsborough to Caloundra, Nambour to Maroochydore, Caloundra to Maroochydore, Nambour to Noosa etc.  Even if it was only hourly or something, it would be better than nothing.

I expect there would be contractual difficulties with that - probably sufficient that it would be "easier" to just not bother.

[ozbob]

http://www.sunbus.com.au/documents/UrgentPassengerAlertIRActionSCAug589.pdf

URGENT PASSENGER ALERT
TWU Industrial Action
Friday 5, Monday 8 AND Tuesday 9 August 2011

Transit Australia Group has received notification this afternoon from the TWU that a ban on overtime will apply on Tuesday 9 August, in addition to Friday 5 August and Monday 8 August.

TAG has received informal advice that the Union may continue this action over the coming days, for up to two weeks.

TAG maintains its position that it cannot deliver services at all when a ban on overtime is in place. Translink understands that this is both an appropriate and lawful response.

The TWU and members are urged to rethink their position. Sunbus will be back in business immediately the ban is lifted.

Thank you
TAG Management

[ozbob]

http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/story/2011/08/05/bus-strike-set-to-go-to-top-federal-intervention/

updated

NO BUSES TODAY, MONDAY, TUESDAY

TransLink is urging the Transport Workers Union (TWU) and Sunbus to come to agreement as soon as possible to stop further impacts on Sunshine Coast public transport users.

TransLink CEO Peter Strachan said Sunshine Coast customers werer understandably upset with these ongoing disruptions.

"I've made it very clear we want the TWU and Sunbus to use every available avenue so we can have buses running again as soon as possible," Mr Strachan.

"TransLink will continue to use all available means to inform schools and customers of any disruptions.

"Sunbus buses will not run across the Sunshine Coast today [AUGUST 5], Monday [AUGUST 8] and on Tuesday [AUGUST 9] due to the industrial action.

"The action affects all 28 urban bus routes (600 series) run by Sunbus."

Mr Strachan said Sunbus had advised TransLink it could not guarantee services due to the overtime ban, so there would be no services today, Monday and Tuesday to ensure no passengers were left behind.

He said Sunbus buses would run as scheduled on the weekend.

BusLink school buses will still run as usual but children who caught Sunbus buses to school would need to make alternative arrangements.

Hinterland Connect, Maleny-Landsborough-Beerwah, Council Cabs and FlexiLink services are not affected and will run as scheduled. Any connecting Sunbus services will not run.

Mr Strachan said Sunbus customers would need to have alternative travel arranged for today, including late night services, such as active transport or carpooling.

For more information, contact TransLink on translink.com.au or phone on 13 12 30, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The latest arrangements for the industrial action are on the TransLink website.

DRIVER STOP WORK MEETING, WEDNESDAY AUGUST 10

THE following statement was sent through by the Transit Australia Group today (Friday).

• Transport Workers Union have notified Transit Australia Group that Sunbus drivers will hold a stop work meeting from 4am to 8am Wednesday August 10.

• All Sunbus services will resume at 8am Wednesday.

• This strike comes after three days of service cancellations due to a TWU ban on ALL overtime, as clearly stated in the TWU's industrial relations notification to TAG. The action affects both rostered and voluntary over time making it impossible to deliver a reliable timetable.

• TAG continues to urge the TWU to make a joint application to Fair Work Australia to have the matter resolved via Arbitration.

If the TWU and drivers genuinely want to see an end to the impasse and passenger disruption, they will attend a meeting with TAG next week, and agree to make an application to FWA.

• In the event the TWU continue to take industrial action after Wednesday's stop work meeting, TAG will seek the intervention of the Federal Minister for Workplace Relations, Senator, the Hon Chris Evans.

• Translink is not and cannot lawfully be involved in these negotiations. TWU have no option, but to work with TAG to resolve this issue, and support the request for FWA to fully arbitrate this matter.

IR action –
• TWU have applied a FULL ban on overtime for Monday 8 and Tuesday 9.

• TWU members will strike from 4am to 8am Wednesday 10.

The EBA offer  -
• TAG has offered 4, 3.5, 3.5 plus increased weekend penalty rates plus 13 months backpay.
• TWU have requested a pay increase of 4, 4 & 4, plus FULL weekend penalty rates, plus backpay,
• TAG's offer is final
• There is absolutely nothing to be gained by ongoing industrial action.

[ozbob]

I cannot but reflect on the fact that if this situation was in Brisbane, or perhaps the Gold Coast, the political imperative would be such that some sort of arbitration process would be well under way by now ... 

This is causing a lot of disruption and difficulty for a lot of people.  Does nothing to advance public transport, the converse of course.  Workers do have a reasonable entitlement to a fair pay.  My own opinion is the bus drivers are underpaid, particularly in view of the responsibilities and so forth. Operators are constrained by their service contracts.  These ongoing disputes may reflect issues there as well.

[achiruel]

I think perhaps TransLink should try to get another company or companies to at least run some services on the Sunshine Coast while this is going on.  Maybe BusLink & KBL could do some of the major routes like Landsborough to Caloundra, Nambour to Maroochydore, Caloundra to Maroochydore, Nambour to Noosa etc.  Even if it was only hourly or something, it would be better than nothing.

I expect there would be contractual difficulties with that - probably sufficient that it would be "easier" to just not bother.

Surely TAG/Sunbus have already breached their contractual obligations by not operating any services.  That by itself should allow TransLink to employ other companies to run routes in their service area.

[ozbob]

Report on ABC 612 Brisbane that 'buses will be on strike now on Thursday too'  assume that is the 11th.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

5th August 2011

Bus service disruptions on the Sunshine Coast

Greetings,

Not concerned with rights and wrongs with the bus dispute on the Sunshine Coast.  However, the ongoing disruptions are having serious impacts on citizens of the area and visitors to the Sunshine Coast.  It is also hurting the economy.

It does seem the that the dispute is worsening.  Accordingly we believe it is time for Federal Minister for Workplace Relations Chris Evans to intervene directly, and ensure that public transport services are provided as timetabled.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Twitter

Robert_Dow Robert Dow
Enough! Time for direct intervention with Sunbus industrial action --> http://t.co/NdV44Na @MinEvansMedia @AnnastaciaMP @TheQldPremier
3 seconds ago

[Stillwater]

People on the Sunshine Coast -- and especially those with children -- continue to have nightmares about the Daniel Morcombe case.  While BusLink will continue to provide services for schoolkids, there are cases of kids having to catch a Sunbus for part of their journey.  While this strike continues, some children have no choice but to walk long distances to get to school due to no bus.  If a child is abducted while this industrial nonsense continues, there will be lynch mobs outside Translink and Sunbus offices.

[ozbob]

From the Couriermail click here!

Sunshine Coast commuters have been advised to find other transport for duration of three-day drivers' strike by Sunbus

Sunshine Coast commuters have been advised to find other transport for duration of three-day drivers' strike by Sunbus

    Robyn Ironside
    From: The Courier-Mail
    August 05, 2011 5:02PM

SUNSHINE Coast commuters are being advised to walk or cycle during a three-day bus drivers' strike.

Hundreds of commuters were left stranded this morning when all Sunbus services were cancelled as a result of industrial action by drivers over a pay rise dispute.

Although services will run on the weekend, the strike will resume Monday and continue Tuesday before buses finally hit the roads again after a stopwork meeting on Wednesday morning.

In advice to passengers posted on the Translink website, Sunbus management advises travellers to make alternative arrangements.

"Consider car pooling, walking and/or cycling,'' reads the advisory.

"Consider rescheduling appointments or non-essential travel where you are reliant on public transport.''

Commuter Ina Bailey said the sudden withdrawal of services was ``distressing for a lot of people unable to get to work''.

'I don't think we're getting a fair break on the Sunshine Coast,'' said Ms Bailey

'Fortunately I have the option of driving even though I'm not very comfortable with that. But some people are not so lucky.

"Another woman who works in Brisbane took a leave day today and is hoping to get a lift with someone on Monday.''

It is the second week of industrial action by Sunbus drivers who first walked off the job for four hours last Friday, July 30.

They are understood to be seeking a 4.5 per cent pay rise a year, for three years.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

6th August 2011

Re: Bus service disruptions on the Sunshine Coast

Greetings,

Is there any political leadership left in Australia?

The ongoing industrial issues with the buses on the Sunshine Coast are unacceptable.   Hopeless!

The Sunshine Coast railway line is in a serious state of infrastructure neglect.  Lack of any real response to the festering bus mess is just more evidence of the shambles of government generally.

Hopeless!

Enjoy your walk and loss of income.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

From the Couriermail click here!

Sunshine Coast commuters have been advised to find other transport for duration of three-day drivers' strike by Sunbus

Quote

Sunshine Coast commuters have been advised to find other transport for duration of three-day drivers' strike by Sunbus

    Robyn Ironside
    From: The Courier-Mail
    August 05, 2011 5:02PM

SUNSHINE Coast commuters are being advised to walk or cycle during a three-day bus drivers' strike.

Hundreds of commuters were left stranded this morning when all Sunbus services were cancelled as a result of industrial action by drivers over a pay rise dispute.

Although services will run on the weekend, the strike will resume Monday and continue Tuesday before buses finally hit the roads again after a stopwork meeting on Wednesday morning.

In advice to passengers posted on the Translink website, Sunbus management advises travellers to make alternative arrangements.

"Consider car pooling, walking and/or cycling,'' reads the advisory.

"Consider rescheduling appointments or non-essential travel where you are reliant on public transport.''

Commuter Ina Bailey said the sudden withdrawal of services was ``distressing for a lot of people unable to get to work''.

'I don't think we're getting a fair break on the Sunshine Coast,'' said Ms Bailey

'Fortunately I have the option of driving even though I'm not very comfortable with that. But some people are not so lucky.

"Another woman who works in Brisbane took a leave day today and is hoping to get a lift with someone on Monday.''

It is the second week of industrial action by Sunbus drivers who first walked off the job for four hours last Friday, July 30.

They are understood to be seeking a 4.5 per cent pay rise a year, for three years.




On 5/08/2011 5:50 PM, RAIL Back On Track Admin wrote:
Greetings,

Not concerned with rights and wrongs with the bus dispute on the Sunshine Coast.  However, the ongoing disruptions are having serious impacts on citizens of the area and visitors to the Sunshine Coast.  It is also hurting the economy.

It does seem the that the dispute is worsening.  Accordingly we believe it is time for Federal Minister for Workplace Relations Chris Evans to intervene directly, and ensure that public transport services are provided as timetabled.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Twitter

Robert_Dow Robert Dow
Will the real leader please stand up? Bus trouble on the Sunny Coast --> http://t.co/U0lN2yk @MinEvansMedia @AnnastaciaMP @TheQldPremier
3 seconds ago

[ozbob]

From the Sunshine Coast Daily click here!

Bus travellers braced for chaos

Bus travellers braced for chaos

Roxanne Mccarty-O'Kane | 8th August 2011

COAST bus travellers are braced for more chaos today, as drivers begin a two-day strike which could extend to the end of the week.

As Sunbus and the Transport Workers Union (TWU) appear no closer to reaching an agreement, the bus company's parent, the Transport Australia Group, repeated warnings the Federal Workplace Relations Minister could be called in to end the stalemate.

Sunbus services across the Coast are cancelled from 4am today until 9am on Wednesday due to the industrial action.

If a resolution is not reached at a meeting of drivers, from 4am to 8am on Wednesday, the TWU has advised its members will cancel another full day of services on Thursday.

But a TAG spokeswoman yesterday issued the union with an ultimatum that a failed outcome from the stopwork meeting would force them to seek a federal ministerial declaration from Chris Evans to terminate the industrial action.

"The only chance of this changing is if the union or the drivers do lift the ban on overtime and we are working feverishly all week to get that to happen," she said.

"We're hoping to hold meetings with the actual bargaining agents and some of the drivers to get them to understand we can't give them any more. They are not getting that message."

TWU passenger transport co-ordinator Bob Giddens expressed fears the dispute could continue "indefinitely" if a third party did not intervene.

"There is a strength and unity amongst the drivers that they want to fight for the return of penalties," he said.

"(The TGA) are obviously not prepared to budge one inch and my answer to that is the indications from the drivers is they're not prepared to budge either. Maybe federal intervention might help."

With both groups steadfastly refusing to compromise, there is more pain to come for public transport users, who have become the victims of this lengthy battle.

Among them is 19-year-old Jessica Pavey. The Kawana Island resident travels on Sunbus services seven days a week to get to university and to work at the Sunshine Plaza.

The service cancellations means not only will she miss a week of lectures, she will be unable to hand in an assignment because a hard copy is required by her tutor today.

"I support (the drivers') actions, as annoying as it is. They do need the benefits, so I can see their point. But hopefully they do something soon so we are not being stranded," she said.

All Sunbus passengers are encouraged to call TransLink on 13 12 30 or visit www.translink.com.au or www.sunbus.com.au for service updates before planning their journey.

[Arnz]

http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-updates/bulletin/1312329537

No Sunshine Coast Sunbus bus services will operate due to industrial action on the following days:

    Monday 8 August  - 24 hours
    Tuesday 9 August  - 24 hours
    Wednesday 10 August - 4am-8am
    Thursday 11 August - 24 hours

All 28 Sunbus services will be affected and major transport disruptions are anticipated for Sunshine Coast passengers.

Services will resume as scheduled from Friday 12 August.
Passengers are encouraged to plan ahead:

    Parents and guardians should also ensure they make alternative travel arrangements for students who catch Sunbus services to and from schools. School services run by BusLink will not be affected.
    Make alternative travel arrangements; consider car pooling, walking and/or cycling.
    Consider rescheduling appointments or non-essential travel where you are reliant on public transport.

Not affected:

    Students who catch a dedicated school bus route, run by BusLink, will not be affected.
    Hinterland Connect, Maleny-Landsborough-Beerwah, Council Cabs and FlexiLink services are not affected and will run as scheduled.
    Passengers for these services are reminded that any connecting Sunbus services will not operate.

Please check back regularly for the latest information, or call TransLink on 13 12 30 for updates before travelling

[Fares_Fair]

Oh dear ! 

[ozbob]

There is more than this than what is stated above.

This article here gives some clues --> here

Sunshine Coast bus passengers are just sacrificial lambs IMHO.  There are serious concerns at all levels of the contract processes.

The absence of any meaningful political leadership is another clue.

[Sunbus610]

From the Sunshine Coast Daily click here!

Just a tad off the topic folks but gee.............doesn't the bus shelter at that stop the young local lass is sitting at (in the SCD image) look nice and modern    *NOT*  A better description would be old and shabby looking with broken/missing lattice..........just a typical sight of a non-prioritised piece of public transport infrastructure from this useless council of ours, they couldn't care less, from my experiences. Roll on local government elections, we are well overdue for a better change and a new local council body!!

[O_128]

From the Sunshine Coast Daily click here!

Just a tad off the topic folks but gee.............doesn't the bus shelter at that stop the young local lass is sitting at (in the SCD image) look nice and modern    *NOT*  A better description would be old and shabby looking with broken/missing lattice..........just a typical sight of a non-prioritised piece of public transport infrastructure from this useless council of ours, they couldn't care less, from my experiences. Roll on local government elections, we are well overdue for a better change and a new local council body!!

States need to be abolished, end of story, Combine all of SEQ into a province, Federal Government owns Major roads, Hospitals and Education and all Law making and tax. SEQ responsible for its own transport and everything else. After sacking 50000 of those useless bureaucrats there will be billions extra in the budget.

[Stillwater]

Re criticism of SCRC over standard of bus stops: http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/story/2011/08/05/station-ready-to-open-10m-later/

[SurfRail]

From the Sunshine Coast Daily click here!

Just a tad off the topic folks but gee.............doesn't the bus shelter at that stop the young local lass is sitting at (in the SCD image) look nice and modern    *NOT* A better description would be old and shabby looking with broken/missing lattice..........just a typical sight of a non-prioritised piece of public transport infrastructure from this useless council of ours, they couldn't care less, from my experiences. Roll on local government elections, we are well overdue for a better change and a new local council body!!

States need to be abolished, end of story, Combine all of SEQ into a province, Federal Government owns Major roads, Hospitals and Education and all Law making and tax. SEQ responsible for its own transport and everything else. After sacking 50000 of those useless bureaucrats there will be billions extra in the budget.

Disagree.  The problem is with service delivery, not who is providing them.  By getting rid of states, all you do is transfer the burden to 2 layers of government who are equally targets for public ire.  If the basic processes are wrong, then no system of government will fix them.

Good luck getting a successful referendum anyway...

[Arnz]

Blame game pointing between Drivers and Management continues, The Driver lockout continues on for the rest of the week.  No bus services except Wednesday this week. (9am-last service). 

No Sunshine Coast Sunbus services
Print increase text size reset text size decrease text size


No Sunshine Coast Sunbus bus services will operate due to industrial action on the following days:

   Tuesday 9 August - 24 hours
   Wednesday 10 August - 4am to 9am (normal weekday schedule expected from 9am)
   Thursday 11 August - 24 hours
   Friday 12 August - 24 hours
   Saturday 13 August - 24 hours
   Sunday 14 August - 24 hours

All 28 Sunbus services will be affected and major transport disruptions are anticipated for Sunshine Coast passengers.

Services will resume as scheduled from 4am Monday 15 August.

[Arnz]

From the Sunshine Coast Daily - Click Here

Govt urged to end bus stoppages

Govt urged to end bus stoppages

Roxanne Mccarty-O'Kane | 9th August 2011

THE State Government has been urged to intervene to end the pay dispute which looks set to cripple public transport on the Sunshine Coast until past Monday.

Jerome Geltch, 21, of Buderim, waits for a bus home yesterday. Photo: Cade Mooney / Sunshine Coast Daily

THE State Government has been urged to intervene to end the Sunbus pay dispute which looks set to cripple public transport on the Sunshine Coast until past Monday.

The Opposition accused Transport Minister  Annastacia Palaszczuk of failing to act to lessen days of commuter chaos on the Coast.

"Ms Palaszczuk has fallen asleep at the wheel and washed her hands of the far-reaching impacts of this debacle,'' Shadow Minister for Transport Scott Emerson said in a statement today.

"As transport minister, she can't ignore the fact that having few or no bus services this week will hurt Sunshine Coast residents.

"She needs to provide a solution to help tide them over so students can get to school on time, people can make it to work for a productive day and the sick can get the medical attention they desparately need.

"Ms Palaszscuk needs to do her job and help deliver effective transport solutions so Sunshine Coast residents are not caught in the crossfire of widespread bus strikes.

Sunbus drivers voted yesterday to extend the overtime ban at the heart of the dispute.

The ban left the Coast without buses yesterday and today and that situation now looks set to continue if the parties fail to reach an agreement.

Members of the Transport Worker's Union voted unanimously to take legally protected industrial action with a ban on voluntary and rostered overtime.

Division 9 Council Candidate Taylor Bunnag called on Sunshine Coast Council to step up to the plate and intervene.

Mr Bunnag said that there was a broad public interest in resolving the dispute as quickly as possible with so many people bearing the brunt of the dispute in terms of accessing doctor's appointments, attending TAFE and university, and getting to their workplaces.

"Sunbus and its parent company TAG are making significant profits from Council's Public Transport Levy which is paid by every household on the Sunshine Coast. This is on top of subsidises from the State Government," Mr Bunnag said.

"Sunbus should think long and hard before dragging this dispute out any longer because it is holding Sunshine Coast people to ransom.

"This is no longer just about the drivers and the company. There is a broad community interest at stake here.

"How many uni students will miss their classes? How many pensioners will be forced to miss their longstanding doctor's appointments? How many people will be unable to get to work?"

Mr Bunnag said that with the council collecting nearly $3 million a year in money to be spent on public transport, it should use its leverage and demand that TAG negotiate with the drivers in good faith.

Sunbus parent company Transport Australia Group (TAG) has refused for the past 15 months to amend the drivers' work agreement and increase their pay by 4% and include penalty rates.

A stop-work meeting planned for 4am to 8am tomorrow was seen as the last chance the drivers had to agree to enter a joint application for Fair Work Australia arbitration before TAG asks Federal Workplace Relations Minister Chris Evans to intervene.

It now appears likely tomorrow will be the only day the Coast will have a bus service, which will begin at 9am, once the stop-work meeting is finished.

The dispute became even more bitter yesterday when the TWU accused Sunbus of refusing to allow two drivers to leave work and inspect a dangerous bus stop at Sunshine Coast Private Hospital.

The bus stop, which has been subject to a 15-month ban, has been slated for redevelopment.

"It is quite absurd that Sunbus could stymie the improvement of local transport services," a TWU spokeswoman said.

TAG's spokeswoman could not be contacted late yesterday but haspreviously said the company had always wanted arbitration but the union was not willing to come to the table.

[ozbob]

http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-updates/bulletin/1312329537

No Sunshine Coast Sunbus services

No Sunshine Coast Sunbus bus services will operate due to industrial action on the following days:

    Tuesday 9 August - 24 hours
    Wednesday 10 August - 4am to 9am (normal weekday schedule expected from 9am)
    Thursday 11 August - 24 hours
    Friday 12 August - 24 hours
    Saturday 13 August - 24 hours
    Sunday 14 August - 24 hours

All 28 Sunbus services will be affected and major transport disruptions are anticipated for Sunshine Coast passengers.

Services will resume as scheduled from 4am Monday 15 August.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

10th August 2011

Bus service disruptions on the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane

Greetings,

The bus grief continues on the Sunshine Coast --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=6481.msg65180#msg65180

And more trouble in Brisbane with some Veolia school services disrupted (again) --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=6516.0

The only hope we believe for the poor punters being 'bashed and punished' with their lives in ruins is direct intervention by the Federal Minister for Workplace Relations Chris Evans.

Does anyone care?

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

[Arnz]

http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-updates/bulletin/1312329537

No Sunshine Coast Sunbus bus services will operate due to industrial action on the following days:

    Wednesday 10 August - 4am to 9am (normal weekday schedule expected from 9am)
    Thursday 11 August - 24 hours
    Friday 12 August - 24 hours
    Saturday 13 August - 24 hours
    Sunday 14 August - 24 hours
    Monday 15 August - 24 hours

All 28 Sunbus services will be affected and major transport disruptions are anticipated for Sunshine Coast passengers.

[ozbob]

From the Sunshine Coast Daily click here!

Bus drivers gagged: union

Bus drivers gagged: union

Owen Jacques | 11th August 2011

BUS drivers have been told to keep their traps shut, according to their union.

An image supplied to the Daily by the Transport Workers Union – which represents drivers – showed an urgent notice plastered as a "staff bulletin" warning them not to speak out of turn.

Transit Australia Group, which owns Sunbus, will not speak to drivers until they stop industrial action.

The notice warns that "drivers are not permitted to speak to representatives from any media organisation in matters relating to TAG and its subsidiary companies".

It adds: "All media contact must be approved by TAG general manager through the regional manager".

Buses ran yesterday but will be off the road again today, the fourth time in the past week.

The TWU has confirmed that its drivers will work no overtime until at least Wednesday next week.

Bus owners plan to keep the buses locked up until the bans on overtime are lifted.

According to Sunbus, every day of action means 12,000 commuters are left without a ride.

If neither side can compromise before next Wednesday, it will add up to 108,000 passengers unable to catch their usual bus.

Up to 700 a day of those are students at University of the Sunshine Coast who have to find alternatives to public transport.

A USC spokesman said students were kept up to date with the Sunbus dispute and encouraged to carpool.

"It puts pressure on our traffic grid," he said.

"But it is a matter between those parties involved."

He said the university had already put on a chartered bus to run from the Sippy Downs campus to Noosa Junction prior to this action.

"Students and staff said they found it frustrating that it took an hour and 45 minutes to arrive."

Union official Bob Giddens said drivers were relying on donations to pay their bills.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

Re: Bus service disruptions on the Sunshine Coast

Greetings,

Would the authorities stand by if Brisbane Transport was causing disruption as for the Sunshine Coast?

This ongoing industrial dispute is a DISGRACE.  Might be time to rip up the contracts and start again?

The Federal Minister seems detached.  The State Government and TransLink apparently cannot interfere directly because of the industrial legislation as such, but when the community needs become acute and they are, time for plan B.

Forget the dispute, bring in a new bus operator to provide basic services to a struggling community.

From the Sunshine Coast Daily click here!

Bus drivers gagged: union

Bus drivers gagged: union

Owen Jacques | 11th August 2011

BUS drivers have been told to keep their traps shut, according to their union.

An image supplied to the Daily by the Transport Workers Union – which represents drivers – showed an urgent notice plastered as a "staff bulletin" warning them not to speak out of turn.

Transit Australia Group, which owns Sunbus, will not speak to drivers until they stop industrial action.

The notice warns that "drivers are not permitted to speak to representatives from any media organisation in matters relating to TAG and its subsidiary companies".

It adds: "All media contact must be approved by TAG general manager through the regional manager".

Buses ran yesterday but will be off the road again today, the fourth time in the past week.

The TWU has confirmed that its drivers will work no overtime until at least Wednesday next week.

Bus owners plan to keep the buses locked up until the bans on overtime are lifted.

According to Sunbus, every day of action means 12,000 commuters are left without a ride.

If neither side can compromise before next Wednesday, it will add up to 108,000 passengers unable to catch their usual bus.

Up to 700 a day of those are students at University of the Sunshine Coast who have to find alternatives to public transport.

A USC spokesman said students were kept up to date with the Sunbus dispute and encouraged to carpool.

"It puts pressure on our traffic grid," he said.

"But it is a matter between those parties involved."

He said the university had already put on a chartered bus to run from the Sippy Downs campus to Noosa Junction prior to this action.

"Students and staff said they found it frustrating that it took an hour and 45 minutes to arrive."

Union official Bob Giddens said drivers were relying on donations to pay their bills.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

[Stillwater]

An enormous marketing effort will be required to restore the travelling public's faith in the bus system on the Sunshine Coast once this industrial disputation ends.  The strides of the past couple of years in getting drivers out of their cars and onto the buses have received a huge setback, and tourism - one of the mainstays of the local economy - has taken a hit so soon after the Queensland floods put visitors off.  While the state and Translink are standing back so the bus drivers and the bus campany slog it out, both have a responsibility to devise and fund a marketing effort once the dust has settled.  Let's hope they don't stand back from that challenge.

[ozbob]

http://www.scottemerson.com.au/

Opposition Statement

Palaszczuk asleep at the wheel on bus dispute

Transport Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk  must move to minimise the impact of Sunbus strikes on the Sunshine Coast this week, the State Opposition demanded today.

Shadow Transport Minister Scott Emerson said the Sunshine Coast faced commuter chaos for days with limited or no bus services until Friday, and maybe even until Sunday.

"Ms Palaszczuk has fallen asleep at the wheel and washed her hands of the far-reaching impacts of this debacle.

"As transport minister, she can't ignore the fact that having few or no bus services this week will hurt Sunshine Coast residents.

"She needs to provide a solution to help tide them over so students can get to school on time, people can make it to work for a productive day and the sick can get the medical attention they desparately need.

"Ms Palaszscuk needs to do her job and help deliver effective transport solutions so Sunshine Coast residents are not caught in the crossfire of widespread bus strikes.

"Under Campbell Newman, an LNP Government will forward plan, not live for the moment."

[somebody]

So, let me get this straight.  Because the drivers have implemented an overtime ban, TAG has locked them out?  Sorry, but how is it that they don't have to pay the drivers their base wages?

[Fares_Fair]

So, let me get this straight.  Because the drivers have implemented an overtime ban, TAG has locked them out?  Sorry, but how is it that they don't have to pay the drivers their base wages?

Hello Simon,
Happy to be corrected if I am wrong. This is just what has been gleaned from media reports.
I thought it was that the company could not guarantee delivery of their services with an overtime ban in place by drivers.
So it is  impractical to do so without a reliability to the service.

I also understand that the company is offering 4.0% pay rise this year and 3.5% for the following 2 years.
The union is pushing for 4.0% each year for the 3 years of the agreement, and include penalty rates.

I also understand that penalty rates are being removed or replaced for weekend work but do not have the details of this.

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

EDIT: Figures in bold amended as per Arnz's corrections below. Thank you Arnz.

[Arnz]

Hi guys,

The corrections according to the papers and unnamed sources are, 4%, 4%, 4% including increased penalty rates.

TAG are offering 4, 3.5%, 3.5%.

Which also makes me wonder (re overtime bans), why couldn't a reduced trunk service (less 600/620 and to a lesser extent 610/616) be operated? considering TAG was able to operate a reduced trunk service during the floods.