Bus drivers arriving at pay deal
Reports say Brisbane bus drivers are close to a breakthrough in their 11-month-long industrial dispute.
Negotiations have been tense since an Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA) expired in October last year, culminating in a recent series of strikes and drivers not collecting fares.
The Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) and Brisbane City Council have now agreed to a 2.5 per cent wage increase per year for bus drivers and officer workers, similar to the council's original offer.
In the third year, employees will receive either a 2.5 per cent increase or the inflation rate, whichever is higher.
It is a significant downgrade from the 3.5 per cent pay increase the union sought.
The talks did secure a one-off bonus to workers of $500, up from the $400 proposed by council, but down from the $800 sought by the union.
Deputy Mayor Adrian Schrinner said council workers would soon vote on the agreement.
“It is a big relief because our focus is building the infrastructure and delivering the services for the people of Brisbane and obviously this was a bit of a distraction from those core duties,” Cr Schrinner said.
“We can get on with the job, we won't see any further bus strikes, and that's obviously a good news outcome for the people of Brisbane that rely on busses to get to and from work and school and university.”
RTBU spokesperson Tom Brown said the proposed agreements carried some important safety conditions for bus drivers.
“I'm positive and very confident that when the members look through the package — because it is a package deal and a package arrangement — and when they see the benefits that are in there for them, that they'll vote for them,” Mr Brown said.
“To the community who see the value of the service our members provide every day, we say thank you very much to those who supported us in our fight to make busses much safer.”
The vote on the new agreement would take place by the end of the month, pending advice from the Industrial Relations Commission.
A proposed new EBA for outdoor workers is be negotiated with separately with other unions.