WA: Perth bus commuters remain in the dark over transport plans

AAP General News (Australia)
04-18-2001
WA: Perth bus commuters remain in the dark over transport plans

PERTH, April 18 AAP - Commuter chaos could continue in Perth tomorrow as striking drivers
and bus company officials remained locked in talks tonight.

More than 200 drivers from the privately-run Perth Bus company called an indefinite
stoppage last night and the strike could shutdown as much as 85 per cent of the network
tomorrow if 700 drivers from two other bus companies join the action.

Drivers say management's neglect of a range of safety issues has caused stress, resulting
in nervous breakdowns, marriage break-ups and even suicides.

Perth Bus management and two other private companies, Path Transit and Southern Coast
Transit, had hoped for a morning hearing in the West Australian Industrial Relations Commission.

They wanted to try to force 215 Perth Bus drivers back to work and to foil tomorrow's
planned action by the 700 drivers from Path Transit and Southern Coast Transit.

However, the IRC hearing was not scheduled until 4pm (WST) today.

About 15 per cent of Perth bus commuters, or 20,000 people, were affected by today's snap strike.

If 900 drivers walk off the job tomorrow, Perth's bus network will be virtually shutdown.

Perth's fourth privatised bus company, Swan Transit, is not involved in the dispute
because it has a non-unionised workforce.

Transport Workers Union spokesman Paul Aslan said drivers had been working long shifts
and were sometimes required to drive up to six hours without a break, which was in breach
of driver fatigue regulations.

He said bus drivers wanted proper rest breaks in the middle of the larger day shifts,
driver fatigue regulations adhered to and companies to abide by the conditions of their
agreements.

Perth Bus managing director Steve Lewis accused the union of sensationalism and rejected
claims that drivers had committed suicide because of work-related stress.

He said the union had acted unlawfully by breaching the drivers' award and not giving
72 hours notice of the strike action and it was "highly likely" that further action would
be taken by the company on the matter.

Perth City Council said it would open Langley Park to cars tomorrow at a cost of $5.50
per vehicle to accommodate the expected influx of motorists.

Ferries and trains will run as normal.

AAP lt/sd/las/sb :

KEYWORD: BUSES NIGHTLEAD

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