BRANCH ! NEWS TAS
METRO TAS DRIVERS SECURE 10% PAY RISE The Tasmanian Government’s promise to improve pay and conditions for bus drivers has been delivered after the RTBU negotiated a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Metro Tasmania for a 10 per cent “temporary” pay rise, which will lift driver pay until the next Enterprise Agreement can be negotiated.
The State Government’s support package for drivers also includes funding for new safety screens and the employment of Transit Officers across the state. Outgoing Tasmanian Branch Secretary Ric Bean said that after discussions with Metro management, it was decided that an MOU would be the quickest
and easiest way to bring about the intended pay rise.
“We looked into other options, such as going straight into enterprise bargaining, but that would have resulted in workers not seeing a pay rise until well into the new year while also preventing drivers from being able to negotiate new conditions. “The MOU means drivers can pocket the pay rise immediately, other conditions will be able to be negotiated through the normal EBA process, and all worker rights that apply to EBA negotiations will be maintained. “This is a significant outcome for all drivers who haven’t received an appropriate pay rise for far too long.” Ric said that while the pay rise had been described as temporary, he was confident that it would become permanent once the new EA was negotiated. “The temporary nature of the pay rise is consistent with the bill which
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recently passed through parliament, which provided funding for the Government’s support package.
“We will keep the pressure on Metro and the State Government to ensure that this funding is extended into the future.” Ric said there was still a lot of work to do to make Metro Tasmania a better place to work, and next year’s EA negotiations would be critical. “The log of claims for the EA will be developed through member meetings, one-on-one conversations and an online member survey. “It is essential that Metro Tasmanian workers join the union, get involved in the EA process, and go into the negotiations as a united group. “A lot of work has gone into turning things around at Metro, now we need to build on that foundation and bring home a really good EA.”
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