Port Hedland bus operator gets TWU thumbs up

• General News
• 15th July 2013

There are two bus companies in Port Hedland – Hedland Buslines and Go West.

I’ve visited and investigated both and I can tell you it is like comparing a Rolls Royce with a 1962 VW.

In the last Wheel I blasted Go West after I had located 16 serious breaches of the Occupational Health and Safety Act at their premises.

I was also pissed off about their anti-union attitude. Their treatment of our newly-elected delegate - who was chucked on a plane back to Perth the day after he took on the union reps job – was deplorable.

So we were a little surprised when the manager of the other bus company in town called us for a chat.

Cath Edwards is the manager of Hedland Buslines and she runs the business with John Love who owns the firm.

Cath told us Hedland Buslines has nothing to hide. John Love himself has been a member for many years and they both actively encourage union membership.

Their approach was refreshing!

They fully understand the benefits provided by the union and believe all of their drivers should be in the union.

So when I was next in Hedland I took up their invitation to pay them a visit and check things out first hand.

The depot is in top condition. It is sealed, has a fully compliant fuel installation, a clean and tidy workshop, undercover storage for the bulk of the fleet, proper wash bay and overhead gantrey for the washing of vehicles.

All in stark contrast with the Go West operation where I took photos of drivers clinging to the rooves of buses with sponges and buckets of water!

Cath openly encouraged me to meet with the staff - which I did - and found them to be a genuinely happy workforce.

She has also given me a draft agreement which her and John have drawn up and we are working our way through it.

But I can tell you that Hedland Buslines are already streets ahead on wages.

Catherine is a bit of a rough diamond but her rapport with her staff and the general community seems to be excellent. I haven’t heard a bad word about her.

Everyone I spoke to – long term residents, every driver, spoke highly of the long established family business that is always supporting local schools and sporting groups.

Sadly, the same can’t be said for the other mob – no one seemed to have a good word for them.

I’ve scheduled both firms in for regular visits when I’m in the town.