Gumleaf
December 17th, 2009, 04:46 PM
06:14 AEST Fri Dec 18 2009
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/985182/bus-drivers-go-ahead-with-24-hour-strike
Up to 600,000 commuters will be left stranded on Friday as Sydney and Newcastle bus drivers go on strike.
The Rail Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) said the strike would go ahead despite a pay offer from the government and a recommendation from the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) to cancel the action.
Premier Kristina Keneally confirmed the government would honour an offer of wage increases of three per cent backdated from June 12 this year and a further three per cent from June 12 next year.
Ms Keneally called on the union to abandon strike action, saying it would be a great inconvenience to workers and Christmas shoppers.
RTBU spokesman Raul Baonza said the 24-hour strike, which is due to start at 4am (AEDT), will go ahead, describing the government's offer as too little, too late.
But disruption to afternoon peak-hour services may be avoided, with the IRC calling a compulsory conference at noon to try to resolve the dispute.
State Transit bus tickets will be recognised on CityRail train services and Sydney Ferries during the strike and drivers will be allowed to use bus lanes.
Western Sydney bus services on the Liverpool Parramatta Transitway will not be affected.
© AAP 2009
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/985182/bus-drivers-go-ahead-with-24-hour-strike
Up to 600,000 commuters will be left stranded on Friday as Sydney and Newcastle bus drivers go on strike.
The Rail Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) said the strike would go ahead despite a pay offer from the government and a recommendation from the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) to cancel the action.
Premier Kristina Keneally confirmed the government would honour an offer of wage increases of three per cent backdated from June 12 this year and a further three per cent from June 12 next year.
Ms Keneally called on the union to abandon strike action, saying it would be a great inconvenience to workers and Christmas shoppers.
RTBU spokesman Raul Baonza said the 24-hour strike, which is due to start at 4am (AEDT), will go ahead, describing the government's offer as too little, too late.
But disruption to afternoon peak-hour services may be avoided, with the IRC calling a compulsory conference at noon to try to resolve the dispute.
State Transit bus tickets will be recognised on CityRail train services and Sydney Ferries during the strike and drivers will be allowed to use bus lanes.
Western Sydney bus services on the Liverpool Parramatta Transitway will not be affected.
© AAP 2009