Alleged Unsafe COVID Conditions Cause Hundreds Of Sydney Bus Drivers To Stop Work

 

CREDIT: Bidgee/Wikipedia

Two hundred Sydney bus drivers have walked off the job, protesting alleged unsafe COVID working conditions.

Smithfield Depot drivers stopped work last Thursday afternoon and called for rapid antigen testing to be rolled out.

A very large number of bus depots in western Sydney have been cancelled. Officials are encouraging individuals to find other means of transportation.

It was reported that Smithfield depot's operator did not warn other bus drivers that someone had tested positive until the union got in contact.

The union is urging the NSW Government to pay for private bus companies in order to introduce rapid tests and allow access for all bus drivers.

"What we're essentially calling for is for the government to fund it so the operators can run it. The bus drivers will be safe, the service will be less disrupted."

NSW government pushed back rapid antigen tests for mandatory vaccinations for bus drivers living in areas of concern.

Another cause of the strike is due to pressure from the unions and that bus drivers weren't given enough time to meet the original early September deadline.

The bus network is now relying on skeleton staff to run a limited Saturday timetable, as hundred of bus drivers are absent due to being close contacts of someone with COVID.

There are some rapid tests at some government-run depots but the union is urging to produce them for all privately owned depots as well.

"TfNSW (Transport for NSW) will continue to follow all health advice and the COVIDSafe Transport Plan remains in place across the network, including enhanced cleaning."

It was stated the rapid antigen test was an extra safety measure, not a requirement.

"Under the public health order, transport workers in the affected LGAs are eligible for priority vaccination appointments and we are working with industry to encourage all transport workers to take up the vaccine available to them."

This is the second industrial action taken by Sydney bus drivers in a week. The previous Monday, drivers from Smithfield, Penrith, Seven Hills and Bankstown stopped work for two hours.

Around 20 drivers took part in the earlier strike.

The Smithfield depot closure will affect services across Liverpool, Fairfield, Merrylands, and Parramatta.

The are replacement buses being arranged.