By Jed Lanyon
Martyrs bus service will not be taking any public or school bus services on Tuesday 4 June as drivers from the Transport Workers Union (TWU) strike over pay negotiations.
The disrupted services were impacting schools across the Yarra Valley, with one school forced to advise students who used a Martyrs service not to use a McKenzie’s school bus, but to instead have their family arrange the trip to and from school.
Public Transport Victoria (PTV) said that the strike would disrupt school services and the 683 service, which runs from Warburton to Chirnside Park regularly.
A statement from the TWU said its Martyrs members voted to take protected industrial action following months of negotiations and “after receiving the operator’s latest sub-standard and insulting wage offer”.
The statement said members across the state were fighting for the surety of the Bus Industry Agreement claim of a 4 per cent wage and 1 per cent superannuation increase per year for the life of the agreement.
TWU national president John Berger said members were fighting for a more secure future for themselves and their families.
“Martyrs would have seen other TWU bus members strike on several occasions in the past year and they know we are serious in taking this action,“ he said.
“We are available for constructive talks with the company at any time, but we are also prepared to stand together on a picket line if the company does not come to the table.
“These drivers are hard-working members of the community…As it stands, they believe there is no other option but to take this action.”
PTV said that services would resume as normal on Wednesday 5 June and that Martyrs Bus Service apologises for any inconvenience that this may cause.
