A PLANNED industrial stoppage by members of Transport Workers’ Union set for this Saturday is set to go ahead after last minute negations on Thursday evening failed.
The strike will affect passenger and school bus services in North West Victoria, including Mildura.
Union members met with operator CDC Victoria on Thursday however with no agreement reached, a TWU spokesperson said the strike will go ahead.
“Negotiations are ongoing at CDC, and the TWU will not stop until we have secured real improvements to pay and conditions for every driver,” said TWU’s director of organising for Victoria and Tasmania, Sam Lynch.
“We’re putting CDC and the entire bus industry on notice.
“We want to get this resolved as quickly as possible. But we also want to see a deal that gives bus drivers the respect they deserve.”
Public Transport Victoria now say travellers should prepare for widespread disruptions across the CDC service including the North West.
“Due to industrial action, bus routes in Melbourne, Geelong, Mildura and Ballarat will now be disrupted on Monday 16 June only,” a statement on the PTV website says.
“Bus routes in these areas are expected to run less frequently or not at all.
“We understand this is frustrating and ask for your patience and to be respectful of drivers that are still working.
“As the situation is changing, please continue to check your route before you travel for the latest updates.”
In Mildura, routes 100/200, 211/300/311, 400/401 and 500/501 will all run to a Sunday timetable.
Routes 600, 601 and 602 will not run.
Most school busses will not run, apart from the services to Red Cliffs Secondary College, Red Cliffs Primary School and Mildura Primary School.
“Buses will continue to pick up from the usual locations so students can still travel to school,” said a PTV spokesperson.
“However timings may be different and routes may be adjusted to serve more than one school.”
At the same time, a strike on the Dysons network has been avoided with members voting 51 to 49 per cent in favour of a company offer that would see drivers receive a 13 per cent rise over three years.
“Although the Dysons agreement falls short of what we would have liked, members should be proud of the progress we made,” Mr Lynch said.
“The fight to lift pay and conditions across Victoria’s bus industry is not over yet.”
