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ABC News
a day ago
- ABC News
Bus drivers' strike halts services in parts of Melbourne and regional Victoria for 24 hours
Bus drivers have gone on strike in Victoria for the second time as part of an enterprise bargaining dispute. About 600 drivers for public transport operator CDC Victoria are in the midst of a 24-hour strike. No buses will run on CDC routes in Melbourne's west, including Wyndham Vale and Sunshine, Tullamarine in Melbourne's north, and Oakleigh in the city's south-east, as well in the regional cities of Geelong, Ballarat and Mildura. Late last month, 1,300 drivers from CDC and operator Dysons took part in what the Transport Workers' Union (TWU) said was the largest bus strike in VIctoria's history, shutting down one-third of the state's bus routes and charter services. The union said Dysons had since progressed its negotiations, but matters remained unresolved with CDC, resulting in a strike that began at 3am today and will last until tomorrow morning. "Bus drivers, like everybody in Victoria at the moment, are struggling under the cost-of-living crisis," TWU organiser Sam Lynch told ABC Radio Melbourne. "Their wages have not gone up with inflation over the last five to 10 years. "The offer that's currently on the table is just absolutely nowhere near resolving that." Mr Lynch said the drivers did not take strike action lightly. "Bus drivers don't want to be impacting the community like this," he said. "They like what they do, they like driving buses and getting people where they need to go, but unfortunately we are not getting the offer that we need to get from CDC in order to resolve this." The ABC has contacted CDC Victoria for comment. Mr Lynch said the drivers would take further strike action if the negotiations did not progress. Meanwhile, a tram derailment has caused early-morning disruptions in Kew, in Melbourne's east. A tram came off the rails on High Street at the Kew Junction at about 5am, cutting services along routes 48 and 109. The Department of Transport said it was caused by a fault with the rail. There were no passengers on board at the time. The driver was not hurt.
7NEWS
27-05-2025
- 7NEWS
Major delays expected as hundreds of bus drivers go on strike in Victoria
Commuters in Melbourne have been warned to expect major delays on Wednesday when more than 800 bus drivers at two of Victoria's biggest bus companies go on strike. Transport Workers Union (TWU) members employed by Dysons Group and CDC Victoria will strike for 24 hours as part of planned industrial action over improvements to pay, rostering and safety. The strike follows months of failed negotiations, with the TWU demanding a deal that better recognises bus drivers and their importance within the community. Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today 'The current offers from CDC and Dysons fall short. Our members have been patient, but that patience has run out,' TWU Victorian/Tasmanian director of organising Sam Lynch said. 'It's time for CDC and Dysons to stop dragging their feet and start listening to workers' calls for respect and a fair day's pay.' Dysons said it was disappointed with the union members' decision to strike given its recent proposal to improve wages and benefits for bus drivers, including a 9 per cent year-one wage increase. 'Industrial action, if carried out, will cause unnecessary inconvenience to public transport bus passengers,' it said. 'Dysons is working closely with the Department of Transport and Planning to minimise disruption to our passengers and valued customers, should this action proceed.' CDC said it was committed to negotiating with the TWU 'to reach a fair and reasonable resolution'. According to the transport department, if the strike goes ahead as planned about a quarter of Melbourne's 400 bus routes could be impacted. Commuters have been warned to expect major delays on routes in Melbourne's north and west, as well as in Ballarat, Mildura and Geelong. Bus routes operated by Dysons across Melbourne will run to a Saturday timetable. There will be no Dysons services on routes 301 Reservoir to Latrobe Uni express, 389 Mernda Station to Doreen Loop and 546 Heidelberg Station to Queen Victoria Market/Melbourne Uni. School services on all Dysons routes will continue to run. CDC Victoria will only operate school services from its depots in Oakleigh, Tullamarine, Sunshine and Mildura. 'Passengers on affected routes should consider other transport alternatives on Wednesday,' the transport department said. Normal timetables should resume on Thursday.
