Brisbane City Council is urging residents to plan ahead for impacts to bus services tomorrow, with the Rail, Tram and Bus Union planning strikes across the city.
The rolling work stoppages are proposed to last for up to two hours between 4am and 6am, Thursday 20 February, however, flow-on impacts are expected throughout the morning peak.
The Council says up to 436 bus trips could be affected by the union’s industrial action. No designated school services will be impacted at this stage.
If a driver is undertaking a bus service, they are required to complete that route before they stop work. Other bus drivers not participating in the strike will be engaged by Brisbane City Council to help minimise impacts on commuters, the Council said in a statement.
Council met with unions on Friday with a final pay increase offer of 7% over two years.
“Brisbane bus drivers do a fantastic job and we have a fair and reasonable pay offer on the table that is above inflation,” said Brisbane Transport Chair, Ryan Murphy.
“Unfortunately if union bosses continue to drag this out they will only force Brisbane bus drivers to wait longer for a pay rise, and hurt the travelling public.
“We have to make sure we strike a balance by delivering the services our city needs while keeping costs down for every Brisbane resident.
“The alternative is what we’ve seen at a state level, where Labor has ruined the budget with reckless spending that will come at a cost to every Queenslander.
“Regardless of union threats, we will continue to negotiate a fair and reasonable pay rise in good faith for our hardworking council staff,” he said.
The Council said Friday’s pay offer follows about a 30% increase in Brisbane bus driver pay since 2012, including: 4.25% in 2012; 2% in 2013, 2.25% in 2014, 2.20% in 2015, 2% in 2016, 2.50% in 2017, 2.50% in 2018, 2.50% in 2019, 2% in 2021, 2% in April 2022, 4% in December 2022 and 3% in 2023.
Brisbane bus drivers are among the highest paid in Australia, with an average wage of $76,573 ranging up to $150,436, the Council said.
