Metro Tasmania has assured commuters that bus services across the state will operate as scheduled this week despite earlier reports of planned industrial action.
Drivers with the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) in the north were set to strike for two hours this week, with Hobart drivers also considering industrial action on Friday.
Those in Burnie were scheduled to hang up their keys from 10:15am to 12:15pm today, while drivers in Launceston would have walked off the job at peak-hour between 5pm and 7pm on Thursday.
“For the remainder of the week, there will be no protected industrial action by the Rail, Tram and Bus Union,” Metro said on Tuesday afternoon.
Transport Minister Eric Abetz said the union is entitled to strike but should “reflect on their obligation to the travelling public”.
“I would just encourage the parties to get together, nut it out without inconveniencing the public,” he told LAFM.
“[Striking at 5pm] is the most inconvenient time. And the union will seek to exercise as much industrial muscle as it can to try to blackmail management.”
“I don’t think that works well for the public sympathy.”
Abetz said the matter could be escalated to the Fair Work Commission if a consensus is unable to be reached.
The RTBU is unhappy with the current offer on the table from Metro they say would see drivers “work longer for a measly 2% pay rise”.
