Sydney bus drivers expand indefinite strike over 22 per cent pay bid
About 2000 drivers started refusing certain buses Wednesday, expanding action Thursday over wages.
Sydney bus drivers began an indefinite strike early Wednesday, refusing to operate buses showing dashboard warning lights. From Thursday, they escalate to refusing any bus without a full fuel tank or fully charged battery.
The drivers, who work across northern beaches, eastern suburbs, lower north shore and inner north-west routes, are pushing for about a 22 per cent pay rise over three years. The base wage for a Sydney driver is about $67,000 a year.
The Rail Tram and Bus Union and private operators have been negotiating for nine months but remain at odds over pay and what the union describes as an attempted casualisation of the workforce. The government announced 3000 extra weekly bus services on the same day the strike began.
- About 2000
- Drivers on strike
- About 22 per cent over 3 years
- Requested pay rise
- About 67,000 dollars annually
- Current base wage
- 3000
- New weekly services announced
Why it mattersCommuters on Sydney's busiest routes face delays and cancellations during the strike. Students sitting HSC exams this week are especially affected.
Corroborated bytheage.com.au·watoday.com.au
