Free rides as ferry workers take industrial action

Members of the Maritime Union of Australia will give free trips to Brisbane ferry users as part of industrial action against operator Transdev.

Ferry workers have been negotiating with Transdev about a new enterprise agreement for 18 months. The company is refusing to drop a series of proposed changes that would cut pay and allowances and increase casualisation.

“In real terms, it will take 20 percent off my income”, said one Transdev employee about possible changes to penalty rates and overtime allowances. This, along with heavy handed tactics from the company, has irritated the workforce.

“Transdev have come in, trying to axe everybody’s conditions, everybody’s wages, everybody’s rosters, hammering everybody with standover and intimidation tactics. Now everybody, just about everybody, is in the union”, MUA organiser Paul Petersen told Red Flag.

MUA members are planning industrial action including turning off fare machines and having uniform-free days, along with bans on overtime, dual duties and staff training.

“They [Transdev] are very fearful of protected action. They understand we have the majority of workers. The workers are angry and the majority want action”, Petersen said.

“I absolutely support it [industrial action]”, another worker told Red Flag. “It might be the only way to bring the public on side. Our action will not affect the public. It will only affect the company and their bottom line.”

The action currently planned will be the first step, he said, because it would take solidarity action from the skippers to beat Transdev.

The union has called on the public to show solidarity with ferry workers. “Please come down for your free ride, please come down and shake the members’ hands and tell them you support them”, Petersen said.