1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:03,199 Speaker 1: Well. Bus commuters across the Northern Territory are being warned 2 00:00:03,279 --> 00:00:07,440 Speaker 1: of major disruptions next week. Bus drivers plan to take 3 00:00:07,560 --> 00:00:11,320 Speaker 1: a twenty four hour strike on Monday, October twenty. It's 4 00:00:11,360 --> 00:00:14,920 Speaker 1: going to shut down the bus network across the Northern Territory. Now. 5 00:00:14,960 --> 00:00:18,760 Speaker 1: That action comes am to ongoing friction between operators and 6 00:00:18,920 --> 00:00:23,800 Speaker 1: staff over safety, working conditions and security, and the strike 7 00:00:24,040 --> 00:00:27,840 Speaker 1: is going to stall daily services right across Darwin, Casarina, 8 00:00:27,880 --> 00:00:31,280 Speaker 1: Palmerston and the rural roots. Now joining us on the 9 00:00:31,280 --> 00:00:34,600 Speaker 1: line is Sam Macintosh from the Transport Workers Union. Good 10 00:00:34,600 --> 00:00:35,239 Speaker 1: morning to you. 11 00:00:35,240 --> 00:00:38,080 Speaker 2: Sam, Morning Katie, thanks for having me on. 12 00:00:38,240 --> 00:00:41,080 Speaker 1: Thank you so much for your time. Now, Monday's twenty 13 00:00:41,120 --> 00:00:43,960 Speaker 1: four hour strike, it's going to bring public transport to 14 00:00:44,000 --> 00:00:48,120 Speaker 1: a halt. What's push drivers to take such drastic action. 15 00:00:50,280 --> 00:00:53,519 Speaker 2: Well, as you said in your introduction there, Katie, this 16 00:00:53,560 --> 00:00:57,200 Speaker 2: is a campaign that's all about trying to raise industry 17 00:00:57,280 --> 00:01:02,160 Speaker 2: standards for drivers. In fact, the bus industry in the territory. 18 00:01:02,760 --> 00:01:07,280 Speaker 2: We've been negotiating for a new agreement for the workforce 19 00:01:07,319 --> 00:01:12,160 Speaker 2: for sometime now, six plus months and unfortunately what's been 20 00:01:12,160 --> 00:01:15,120 Speaker 2: put in front of us is not going to elevate 21 00:01:15,240 --> 00:01:19,440 Speaker 2: standards to the extent that they need to be brought up. 22 00:01:19,560 --> 00:01:22,760 Speaker 2: And so we've been brought to this point. As you know, 23 00:01:23,160 --> 00:01:25,319 Speaker 2: this has been a campaign that's been running for weeks 24 00:01:25,360 --> 00:01:28,920 Speaker 2: and months, and we've been doing our best to highlight 25 00:01:29,000 --> 00:01:34,120 Speaker 2: these issues to the community and the stakeholders, open letters 26 00:01:34,120 --> 00:01:39,520 Speaker 2: on buses, high visibility vests with slogans. But unfortunately we're 27 00:01:39,520 --> 00:01:42,640 Speaker 2: at the same place and there's an urgency about this. 28 00:01:43,000 --> 00:01:45,080 Speaker 1: So Sam, tell us what is it going to mean 29 00:01:45,120 --> 00:01:48,760 Speaker 1: on Monday? Like, is it literally anybody who would usually 30 00:01:48,760 --> 00:01:50,880 Speaker 1: catch the bus? I mean, I know my kids catch 31 00:01:50,920 --> 00:01:53,400 Speaker 1: the bus. Are they not going to be able to 32 00:01:53,560 --> 00:01:55,840 Speaker 1: from next Monday morning for twenty four hours? 33 00:01:57,200 --> 00:01:59,800 Speaker 2: So there'll be a twenty four hour strike across the 34 00:02:00,040 --> 00:02:05,160 Speaker 2: urban route. Importantly, Katie, we won't be disrupting school bus 35 00:02:05,200 --> 00:02:10,000 Speaker 2: services and special needs services. We'll make sure that those 36 00:02:10,040 --> 00:02:13,360 Speaker 2: operations continue for the day, but every other service, yes, 37 00:02:14,120 --> 00:02:19,880 Speaker 2: the drivers will be on strike about this really important campaign. 38 00:02:19,360 --> 00:02:23,280 Speaker 2: This is a decision, as we've spoke about previously, that 39 00:02:23,600 --> 00:02:27,320 Speaker 2: we absolutely don't take lightly, and we know that this 40 00:02:27,360 --> 00:02:32,600 Speaker 2: will cause very significant disruption across the network and to 41 00:02:32,639 --> 00:02:34,680 Speaker 2: our passengers. And at the end of the day, the 42 00:02:34,760 --> 00:02:38,480 Speaker 2: reason why our members become bus drivers is because that 43 00:02:38,680 --> 00:02:41,880 Speaker 2: they love supporting our community and working with our community 44 00:02:42,360 --> 00:02:46,239 Speaker 2: every day providing a really important service. That's why we're 45 00:02:46,240 --> 00:02:49,160 Speaker 2: in this and that's why this is so important, because 46 00:02:49,760 --> 00:02:51,920 Speaker 2: we've got an industry at the moment where we know 47 00:02:52,200 --> 00:02:55,040 Speaker 2: things aren't safe enous, we know that standards have to 48 00:02:55,080 --> 00:02:59,320 Speaker 2: increase because we want to retain and attract drivers to 49 00:02:59,400 --> 00:03:03,680 Speaker 2: do this really important job. So this campaign, it's really 50 00:03:03,720 --> 00:03:09,040 Speaker 2: fundamental and for us, so important. And again, we just 51 00:03:09,080 --> 00:03:12,800 Speaker 2: want to make sure that the community really understands exactly 52 00:03:12,840 --> 00:03:15,639 Speaker 2: where we're coming from. And to that end, we want 53 00:03:15,680 --> 00:03:18,239 Speaker 2: to make clear that we're not going to affect the 54 00:03:18,240 --> 00:03:21,040 Speaker 2: school runs or the special needs runs, because we know 55 00:03:21,160 --> 00:03:23,120 Speaker 2: just how important they are. But at the same time, 56 00:03:23,680 --> 00:03:27,200 Speaker 2: you know, really asking that everyone understands that this situation 57 00:03:27,360 --> 00:03:29,200 Speaker 2: has to change, and we don't want to be in 58 00:03:29,200 --> 00:03:33,080 Speaker 2: a situation where I'm back speaking with you, Katie next 59 00:03:33,080 --> 00:03:36,200 Speaker 2: week saying well, we've still got the same battle and 60 00:03:36,320 --> 00:03:39,280 Speaker 2: we're actually going to have to up our up our actions. 61 00:03:39,320 --> 00:03:40,440 Speaker 2: That's not where we want to be. 62 00:03:40,680 --> 00:03:43,720 Speaker 1: No same. When's the last time, Like, when's the last 63 00:03:43,720 --> 00:03:45,560 Speaker 1: time that this kind of action was taken? 64 00:03:46,920 --> 00:03:49,760 Speaker 2: I think it's been a long time that our drivers 65 00:03:49,760 --> 00:03:52,560 Speaker 2: in the territory have taken this level of action, Katie, 66 00:03:52,600 --> 00:03:54,840 Speaker 2: I mean, this is a this is a twenty four 67 00:03:54,880 --> 00:03:57,840 Speaker 2: hour strike, this is this is going to be a significant, 68 00:04:00,160 --> 00:04:03,160 Speaker 2: significant things for the network, and we're very mindful of that. 69 00:04:03,320 --> 00:04:06,800 Speaker 2: But at the same time, I think it highlights exactly 70 00:04:06,920 --> 00:04:08,160 Speaker 2: why this is so important. 71 00:04:08,520 --> 00:04:11,640 Speaker 1: I'll be really blunt about this. People are gonna be pissed, 72 00:04:11,720 --> 00:04:14,840 Speaker 1: They're gonna be ropable that they're not able to, you know, 73 00:04:14,920 --> 00:04:16,760 Speaker 1: to catch their bus in the same way that they 74 00:04:16,880 --> 00:04:21,560 Speaker 1: ordinarily would. I mean, what could happen between now and 75 00:04:21,640 --> 00:04:26,279 Speaker 1: then to prevent this strike action from moving forward? Like 76 00:04:26,600 --> 00:04:30,400 Speaker 1: what exactly are you guys asking for what to make 77 00:04:30,480 --> 00:04:33,000 Speaker 1: sure that this maybe doesn't go ahead. 78 00:04:35,000 --> 00:04:37,440 Speaker 2: Well, you recall, Katie, that we've spoken a lot about 79 00:04:37,640 --> 00:04:41,600 Speaker 2: industry standards and what that means is, for example, when 80 00:04:41,680 --> 00:04:45,000 Speaker 2: drivers are working on a weekend or doing overtime work, 81 00:04:45,320 --> 00:04:48,000 Speaker 2: we want to make sure that their level of pay 82 00:04:48,040 --> 00:04:52,159 Speaker 2: and the conditions associated with that work are at industry standards. So, 83 00:04:52,200 --> 00:04:55,400 Speaker 2: for example, on Saturdays, most people will be familiar with 84 00:04:55,440 --> 00:04:57,559 Speaker 2: the idea that you get paid time in a half 85 00:04:57,760 --> 00:05:00,520 Speaker 2: or double time on a Sunday that's not currently the 86 00:05:00,560 --> 00:05:05,120 Speaker 2: case for drivers in the NT. There's no annual leave loading, 87 00:05:06,040 --> 00:05:09,160 Speaker 2: public holiday rates are lower than the rest of the industry, 88 00:05:09,240 --> 00:05:12,200 Speaker 2: So we've got a pretty significant gap that we have 89 00:05:12,320 --> 00:05:15,599 Speaker 2: to make up. But it's so fundamental, isn't it, because 90 00:05:16,360 --> 00:05:19,760 Speaker 2: our drivers do. I think what everyone would acknowledge is 91 00:05:19,800 --> 00:05:22,279 Speaker 2: now a very difficult and dangerous job. And it wasn't 92 00:05:22,279 --> 00:05:24,200 Speaker 2: always that way. It's used to be a great career. 93 00:05:24,800 --> 00:05:27,280 Speaker 2: It was a safe job where you can just freely 94 00:05:27,320 --> 00:05:30,960 Speaker 2: interact with your passengers on a daily basis. It is 95 00:05:31,000 --> 00:05:35,840 Speaker 2: now difficult and dangerous, and we see drivers getting physically assaulted, 96 00:05:36,120 --> 00:05:39,440 Speaker 2: verbally abused. We spoke the other week about rock attacks 97 00:05:39,960 --> 00:05:42,520 Speaker 2: when you're trying to look after a full bus load 98 00:05:43,040 --> 00:05:45,600 Speaker 2: of people that you really care about. So we need 99 00:05:45,640 --> 00:05:48,479 Speaker 2: to make sure that when our drivers are on the road, 100 00:05:48,520 --> 00:05:51,479 Speaker 2: they're looked after, both in terms of their safety, but 101 00:05:51,600 --> 00:05:55,679 Speaker 2: also that they're paying conditions are at least in line 102 00:05:55,720 --> 00:05:58,640 Speaker 2: with the rest of the industry, so that they know 103 00:05:58,800 --> 00:06:03,599 Speaker 2: that this job really is seen to be valued the 104 00:06:03,600 --> 00:06:07,000 Speaker 2: way it needs to be for our community. I take 105 00:06:07,040 --> 00:06:10,720 Speaker 2: your point. Maybe I know that I know that this 106 00:06:10,880 --> 00:06:15,720 Speaker 2: is a significant action that our workforce will be taking 107 00:06:15,760 --> 00:06:20,000 Speaker 2: But I would just encourage everyone to remember that we've 108 00:06:20,000 --> 00:06:22,520 Speaker 2: been on this journey for many months now and we've 109 00:06:22,560 --> 00:06:26,400 Speaker 2: tried to We've tried to highlight these issues as best 110 00:06:26,480 --> 00:06:31,039 Speaker 2: we can to both our community but also the stakeholders 111 00:06:31,080 --> 00:06:33,600 Speaker 2: that are involved to including the company of course, and 112 00:06:34,200 --> 00:06:36,839 Speaker 2: we're disappointed too that it's come to this point, and 113 00:06:37,279 --> 00:06:40,760 Speaker 2: we'd absolutely love to see a resolution that means that 114 00:06:40,839 --> 00:06:44,560 Speaker 2: we don't have to take these actions, but unfortunately that's 115 00:06:44,600 --> 00:06:46,440 Speaker 2: where we're at in the future of the industry is 116 00:06:46,560 --> 00:06:48,920 Speaker 2: just too important for us not to take a stand. 117 00:06:49,200 --> 00:06:51,920 Speaker 1: So before I let you go, it has been announced 118 00:06:51,920 --> 00:06:54,640 Speaker 1: today that the Northern Territory government's going to be closing 119 00:06:54,680 --> 00:06:58,160 Speaker 1: the Darwin and Casuarina bus interchanges later this month, saying 120 00:06:58,160 --> 00:07:01,000 Speaker 1: it's a move to make the network. Say what's your 121 00:07:01,080 --> 00:07:04,200 Speaker 1: view on that decision and how it affects both workers 122 00:07:04,240 --> 00:07:05,120 Speaker 1: and passengers. 123 00:07:06,760 --> 00:07:11,360 Speaker 2: Look, Katie, we're always we're always in support of moves 124 00:07:11,360 --> 00:07:13,680 Speaker 2: that are going to make the network safe and encourage 125 00:07:13,720 --> 00:07:18,000 Speaker 2: people to use the network right around the day and night. 126 00:07:18,160 --> 00:07:21,400 Speaker 2: And so I think where the government is coming from 127 00:07:21,520 --> 00:07:23,920 Speaker 2: here is with a firm one, how do we create 128 00:07:24,080 --> 00:07:28,440 Speaker 2: a safer network? These are a couple of the initiatives 129 00:07:28,440 --> 00:07:30,160 Speaker 2: that have been worked on, but there are some others 130 00:07:30,160 --> 00:07:36,720 Speaker 2: too around increased security, CCTV cameras at hotspots. So from 131 00:07:36,760 --> 00:07:39,120 Speaker 2: our point of view as a union, we want to 132 00:07:39,160 --> 00:07:41,840 Speaker 2: see a safer network, not just for drivers but also 133 00:07:41,920 --> 00:07:44,840 Speaker 2: for our community. So I think if we're all heading 134 00:07:44,840 --> 00:07:47,040 Speaker 2: in that direction, that's a good thing. No doubt, more 135 00:07:47,840 --> 00:07:52,360 Speaker 2: discussions to be had, but certainly safety is just a 136 00:07:52,400 --> 00:07:54,720 Speaker 2: top priority, and you want to know as a driver 137 00:07:55,200 --> 00:07:57,000 Speaker 2: that at the end of every day you can go 138 00:07:57,080 --> 00:07:59,360 Speaker 2: home safely to your loved ones. And I would say 139 00:07:59,360 --> 00:08:02,360 Speaker 2: that exactly the same thing is true for any member 140 00:08:02,400 --> 00:08:04,600 Speaker 2: of the community that catches a bus well. 141 00:08:04,640 --> 00:08:09,360 Speaker 1: Transport Workers Union NT Branch Secretary Sam Macintosh thanks so 142 00:08:09,440 --> 00:08:11,600 Speaker 1: much for your time this morning. Really appreciate it. 143 00:08:12,200 --> 00:08:13,720 Speaker 2: Thank you, Katie, appreciate your time. 144 00:08:13,800 --> 00:08:14,480 Speaker 1: Thank you.