MetroBus to resume talks with PTU on 2nd enterprise bargaining agreement

7/3/96

Transport Minister Eric Charlton said today that MetroBus management would immediately resume discussions with the PTU on a second enterprise bargaining agreement for pay and conditions and redundancy provisions in line with Government policy.

Mr Charlton was responding to the demands of the Public Transport Union, whose member drivers today brought MetroBus services to a halt and disrupted the travel plans of thousands of commuters.

"The progress already made by MetroBus through annual savings of more than $20 million and productivity improvements throughout the workforce are commendable and I have continually acknowledged their achievements," he said.

"However, there is still a need to adopt the type of flexibility that has been demonstrated by Swan Transit operating the Midland route, Mandurah CityLink and the Swan River ferries."

Mr Charlton said Government policy was to place only 42 per cent of public bus transport to tender NOT privatisation, with the control over fares, routes and vehicles remaining firmly in the hands of the Government.

"It is important to recognise that the remaining 58 per cent is not subject to tender and it is crucial that MetroBus in its negotiations with the PTU achieve a satisfactory resolution to their present round of discussions for the benefit of MetroBus and importantly the travelling public," he said.

The Minister said the tender evaluation process was well and truly beyond criticism by the union.

The five-member panel comprised two representatives from the Department of Transport, two State Supply Commission and a member of the Public Sector Management Office. The panel's evaluation of the tenders for bus contracts was subject to the same scrutiny and evaluation as all other Government contracts. The process was, in turn, answerable to Parliament.

"The process has been in place for more than 12 months and was designed to present MetroBus with every opportunity to compete as successfully as it had in winning two of the three routes sent to tender," Mr Charlton said.

"Another five have still to be decided."

The Minister said MetroBus, as with any other operator, had the freedom to negotiate pay and conditions for drivers that suited their particular operation.

"I urge the PTU executive on behalf of its members to quickly resolve the current dispute with MetroBus so that they can look forward to providing an even better service to the travelling public," he said.

Media contact: Ian Hasleby 321 7333