Logan bus drivers are continuing strike action on Wednesday (4 October) with another 24-hour work stoppage, following more than six months of enterprise bargaining negotiations.
Clarks Logan City Bus Service announced although school services would continue to operate as usual, the general schedule would be “severely impacted”.
“We urge customers travelling at peak times to seek alternative arrangements on this day, if possible, as capacity will be limited,” a Clarks statement read.
“We recommend bus travellers stay informed of developments by checking our website and social media channels for the latest news, and checking Translink schedules before travelling on Wednesday October 4.”
For the fourth time in three months, members of the Transport Workers Union are protesting low wages, driver shortages and a lack of investment in public transport and have called on the state government to intervene.
TWU QLD director of organising Jared Abbott said investing in public transport was essential to ensuring a safe and sustainable network.
“If we act on wages now, we can retain existing staff while attracting new drivers and avoid the looming crisis of more services being reduced,” Mr Abbott said.
“We don’t have a driver shortage; we have a wage shortage – bus driver wages have not kept up with the cost of living or other industries.
“If you look at how many drivers have been trained and are able to work in this industry, it’s clear that we aren’t doing enough to incentivize retention.”
Clark’s manager of finance and performance, Kaylee Clark, said the stoppage was “extremely disappointing”.
“This is the second stoppage of work by the union over the past two months and we were hoping to prevent further disruptions to our customers,” Ms Clark said.
“We look forward to continuing negotiations and are working hard to finalise a new employment agreement.
“We sincerely apologise to our customers for this inconvenience and ask for their understanding.”
