Logan bus drivers last week continued strike action to protest low wages and driver shortages, but this time local residents were spared from collateral damage.
Members of the Transport Workers Union (TWU) took industrial action against Clarks Logan City Buses and the state government for its lack of investment in public transport, by providing 48 hours of fare-free service.
Bus services continued as usual, but drivers refused to charge passengers.
It began at 4.01am on Thursday (24 August) and finished the same time on Saturday (26 August).
TWU Queensland’s director of organising Jared Abbott said around 80 drivers participated in the strike.
He said drivers’ contracts were structured in a way that produced low wages and prevented workers from keeping up with the cost of living.
“Bus drivers work hard performing a critical role in keeping our communities connected – it’s only fair and long overdue that their wages reflect this,” Mr Abbott said.
“Bus drivers work unsociable hours to keep up with public transport demands and it’s time for the state government to step up and make a real investment in our public transport.”
“Delays and cancellations caused by driver shortages are impacting the public right now.
“We can begin to fix this problem by investing in raising bus drivers’ pay to the level where it needs to be.
“If we’re going to ensure that we have a safe and sustainable public transport network going into the future, we need to be investing in the wages of our bus drivers.”
This strike action followed almost six months of bargaining negations, as well as a walkout by drivers two weeks ago.
Union members in Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast also participated in the fare-free protest.
