Bus Workers Walk Off the Job

Date: 14 April 2003

About 150 bus maintenance workers at the Brisbane City Council's Toowong bus depot walked off the job this afternoon for 24 hours in protest at the sacking of a colleague for spurious safety reasons and without due process, the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU) said today.

The strike comes as the Council's bus maintenance program continues to fall behind and just a few weeks after another dangerous bus fire, which the Council managed to keep quiet.

AMWU assistant secretary, Andrew Dettmer, said strike action could be extended unless this worker is reinstated.

"AMWU members believe spurious safety concerns are being used to get rid of a colleague who has a history of being outspoken himself about safety and other industrial relations issues at the depot," Mr Dettmer said.

"There are significant safety issues at this depot arising from such things as cost cutting and sub-standard equipment and management is doing very little about them. So our members are very suspicious about the motives behind this sacking and they certainly don't believe the reasons given for it stand up to scrutiny.

"Management practices at the depot also raise safety concerns for the travelling public. The maintenance program continues to be put under pressure for cost reasons. For example, overtime in the workshop remains severely restricted and labour hire companies are commonplace.

"I understand that only a few weeks ago there was yet another fire on a Brisbane City Council bus, which was largely hushed up. In early March Bus 532 had a turbo charger, which forces air into the motor for greater power, incorrectly fitted by a labour hire contractor who was helping out with the maintenance program. The refit didn't last much longer than a week when the bus caught fire, while carrying passengers on a route in the Mount Gravatt area.

"I understand that the oil feed pipe, which feeds lubrication and cooling oil to the bearings in the turbo charger, didn't fit properly and after about a week the gasket finally blew out. The hot oil then sprays against the turbo and ignites.

"Serious incidents such as these bus fires clearly show that the Brisbane City Council can't afford a protracted maintenance strike at this depot. The AMWU members don't want one either, but they are prepared to stick by their workmate. Hopefully the Council will come to its senses quickly and re-instate this worker," Mr Dettmer said.

At this stage the striking Toowong depot workers are scheduled to meet at 7.00am tomorrow, Tuesday 15 April, to consider the progress of the dispute. Mr Dettmer will address the meeting.

For further information

Contact:	John Moran
Union:	Labor Council of NSW
Phone:	(07) 3366 9010
Contact Mobile:	0410 603 278

LaborNET is proudly created, designed and programmed
by Social Change Online for the Labor Council of NSW
[Credits] [Site Matters]