The TWU – who until then had no bus drivers as members – was asked to pick up the pieces and put them together again.
Restoring an army of Humpty Dumpty’s would have been easier – it has been a long and often arduous task.
But late this year we took a giant step forward in turning the bad job back into a good job.
A recently negotiated pay deal will immediately place Perth’s bus drivers amongst the highest paid in Australia. They may even become the best paid.
Between now and July 2010 they will receive seven pay rises.
These will include three extra increases of one dollar per hour PLUS two increases each year based on the WA Average Wage Index.
Lately that index has been averaging just over 6% per year.
Even if the index averages 4% over the next two years the top rate at all three bus firms will rise to more than $25 per hour.
When overtime rates, shift loadings, etc come into play drivers are likely to be hundreds of dollars per week better.
The TWU’s campaign for better pay for bus drivers has been an undisputable success.
As the boss of one of the bus firms said, “I never thought you would do it and I take my hat off to you.”
Our success has been aided and abetted by a lot of people and their contribution must be noted.
Restoring an army of Humpty Dumpty’s would have been easier – it has been a long and often arduous task.
But late this year we took a giant step forward in turning the bad job back into a good job.
A recently negotiated pay deal will immediately place Perth’s bus drivers amongst the highest paid in Australia. They may even become the best paid.
Between now and July 2010 they will receive seven pay rises.
These will include three extra increases of one dollar per hour PLUS two increases each year based on the WA Average Wage Index.Lately that index has been averaging just over 6% per year.
Even if the index averages 4% over the next two years the top rate at all three bus firms will rise to more than $25 per hour.
When overtime rates, shift loadings, etc come into play drivers are likely to be hundreds of dollars per week better.
The TWU’s campaign for better pay for bus drivers has been an undisputable success.
As the boss of one of the bus firms said, “I never thought you would do it and I take my hat off to you.”
Our success has been aided and abetted by a lot of people and their contribution must be noted.
- Thanks to those bus drivers who stuck with us through thick and thin, even though – at some depots – you have been part of a minority.
- Thanks to our staunch delegates who stood strong at the forefront
- Thanks to the 300 or so drivers who joined us this year and lifted us to majority strength in most depots.
- Thanks to Eric Ripper and Alannah MacTiernan who agreed to the pay deal only to lose the election a week later.
- Thanks to the bus firms and the Public Transport Authority for backing us up.
- And thanks to new transport minister Simon OBrien and the newly elected Barnett government for honouring the deal done with their predecessors.
But most importantly, thanks to all those drivers who were prepared to fight for a better deal, even if it meant walking out the gate.
Strike action was always a last resort but it was also always an option we were prepared to take. Thankfully we didn’t have to and not one member lost a single cent in the process.
- Lastly, a special thanks from me to Kevin Starr, Paul Aslan and Mick Knowles who helped run the campaign.
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
