Canberra's bus drivers have voted to accept a new pay deal but blocked a government plan to overhaul weekend rosters.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
About 500 Transport Canberra drivers met at a Transport Workers' Union meeting at Exhibition Park on Thursday to vote on the deal.
The drivers would receive a pay rise of 13.13 per cent over three years, the union said.
Klaus Pinkas, the union's NSW/ACT sub-branch secretary, said the government's proposed weekend package was unacceptable to the members.
"There were a few discussions around the pay offer but the main bone of contention was that weekend package and they voted that down," Mr Pinkas said.
Mr Pinkas said the package had included a proposed 15 per cent penalty paid on all work after drivers had worked 12 weekend days in a year.
"On top of that, [Transport Canberra] wanted a weekend, part-time driver position where the ordinary hours were on the weekend," he said.
"That was the contentious part."
Mr Pinkas said there was "vigorous discussion" about weekend work changes, which ended with a majority vote that was not overwhelming.
Drivers would also receive an increase in superannuation payments and parental leave, Mr Pinkas said.
The government planned to increase bus services in the fourth school term and then increase weekend work next year, he said.
Mr Pinkas said there were currently no issues covering the weekend rosters.
"We've said consistently if they have a full crew of drivers and a full complement of full-time drivers and part-time drivers, then they won't have a problem covering weekends," he said.
Drivers are only required to volunteer for weekend shifts, which the government has said limits its ability to reliably schedule services at the weekend.
Transport Minister Chris Steel said the government had worked proactively and positively with drivers and their union to deliver "the best outcomes for our drivers and the Canberra community".
"As part of this negotiation, there was an additional proposed agreement to include a new weekend penalty provision with permanent bus drivers receiving a 15 per cent penalty rate for working more than 12 weekend shifts per calendar year," Mr Steel said.
"This penalty rate was put on the table to provide better incentives for drivers to work on the weekend.
"A new 'weekend worker' classification was also offered, which would have provided opportunities for new drivers and existing casual bus drivers to become permanent on the weekends, with more certainty of shifts and better entitlements including annual and personal leave."
Mr Steel said he was committed to continuing to work with drivers to find the way to deliver a more frequent and reliable bus service for the capital.
Recruitment of more staff would begin from May 29, he said.
MORE TRANSPORT NEWS:
However the government instead rolled over the existing agreement terms - which do not compel drivers to work at weekends - after two years of talks.
The Transport Workers' Union represents more than 95 per cent of government-employed bus drivers.
We've made it a whole lot easier for you to have your say. Our new comment platform requires only one log-in to access articles and to join the discussion on The Canberra Times website. Find out how to register so you can enjoy civil, friendly and engaging discussions. See our moderation policy here.
Jasper Lindell
Jasper Lindell joined The Canberra Times in 2018. He is a Legislative Assembly reporter, covering ACT politics and government. He also writes about development, transport, heritage, local history, literature and the arts, as well as contributing to the Times' Panorama magazine. He was previously a Sunday Canberra Times reporter.
Jasper Lindell joined The Canberra Times in 2018. He is a Legislative Assembly reporter, covering ACT politics and government. He also writes about development, transport, heritage, local history, literature and the arts, as well as contributing to the Times' Panorama magazine. He was previously a Sunday Canberra Times reporter.
