Metro bus mechanics have taken to the streets to rally community support for a new pay deal, chanting the message ‘Fund, Fix and Save Metro’.
Jacob Batt, a representative from the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union, argues that supporting mechanics will lead to more buses back on the road and reduce cancellations.
“The public are sick and tired of having service cancellations, of not knowing when a bus is going to be there,” Batt said.
“Without enough mechanics, which they currently isn’t and nothing is being done to sort this problem out.”
“We have a 60% turnover in the mechanical workshop and those workers left for that industry rate of pay.”
“The workers at Metro are underpaid up to $10 per hour on their base rate.”
The State Government say the issue falls under Metro’s responsibility and urges them to conduct discussions in good faith.
Despite meeting with Metro two weeks ago, there have been no subsequent negotiations scheduled.
The petition is set to be delivered to Premier Jeremy Rockliff and Transport Minister Michael Ferguson in the coming weeks.
