Bus mechanics working for Metro Tasmania are planning to walk off the job after voting to take industrial action over concerns about pay rates, staff shortages and underfunding at the state-owned company.
Stop-work meetings will be held in Hobart and Launceston this week for employees to vote on various work bans after the action was supported by over 90% of Metro mechanics.
Australian Manufacturing Workers Union state organiser Jacob Batt said the action is “about showing Metro that the goodwill from mechanics has dried up”.
“Metro heavy vehicle mechanics are being offered up to $10 per hour less than the industry rate of pay – I can’t believe how underpaid these people are,” Batt said.
“The largest state government-contracted private bus company, Kinetic, can pay their mechanics an industry rate of pay, so there’s no reason that Metro can’t do so as well.”
He said the remaining mechanics are suffering form ‘unsustainable pressure’ as a result of worker vacancies and turnover.
Metro’s CEO Katie Cooper said the decision was disappointing.
“In recognition of our engineer’s contribution to our business, to address the current cost of living pressures and to ensure continuity of Metro’s business, Metro took the proactive step this week to approve a significant salary increase to meet current market expectations, effective immediately,” she said.
“For the majority of our engineers they will receive a 10.22% increased market adjustment for year one.”
“Unfortunately, the parties remain apart on a number of matters, with the union seeking a 43 per cent increase.”
Cooper said Metro have put contingency plans in place to minimise disruption to the business should the action proceed.
In recent months, Metro has faced public criticism for numerous canceled bus services and route cancellations.
