Keolis Downer has Stuffed Up: RTBU on Newcastle's Private Transport Operator

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Keolis Downer was first accused of underpaying its workers in August, and it seems the problem hasn't gone away, instead it has gotten worse.

Workers have been reportedly getting underpaid, not getting their uniforms, there's numerous rostering issues, bus services have been cancelled without warning and children are being left on the side of the road when their buses don't turn up.

Local Labor MPs met with Shadow Transport Minister Jodi McKay, workers and the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) this morning to discuss the problems plaguing the operator.

RTBU Divisional Secretary Chris Preston said the first pay period problem was fixed and the company did apologise, but when the next pay period came it was the same problem again.

He says Transport Minister Andrew Constance came, signed it over, walked away, and doesn't care enough to do something to fix it.

RTBU Divisional Secretary Chris Preston addressing media this morning.

"What I think has happened here is the Transport Minister has signed them on the dotted line, walked away and hasn't bothered to follow up to ensure that this would be smooth. It's been far from smooth,"

"You ask these workers over here if they like not being paid for what they've done if you ask the community who've been left on the side of the road if they're happy about that. I'm sure the answer Mr Constance will be no. We're not happy about what's happened up here," said Chris.

The union says the problem goes beyond just underpaying workers, drivers are fatigued because of their rosters. Bus drivers can't work more than 12 days straight and their shifts are heavily regulated, but Chris Preston said it doesn't appear to be being adhered to in Newcastle.

"We raise this time and time again with Andrew Constance. He doesn't care, quite frankly this has become about money and about a privatised system that is about efficiency, that is about the government pushing it onto someone else and saying you can make money out of this," said Shadow Transport Minister Jodi McKay.

The MP's have been fielding complaints from the public, and workers alike, because they aren't getting the answers they want or any answer from Keolis Downer.

"Now sure the company apologises, and they say they're going to get it right. Well, they've had three months and they haven't got it right and we are deeply concerned," said Jodi McKay.

"This is the Minister's baby. He came out and said this would be a world class system, it is not. Ultimatelytransport in this state rests with him whether its public or private it rests with him. He has to take accountability for this and he is not."

In addition, Swansea MP Yasmin Catley hasn't seen any of the consultation she says residents were promised from Keolis Downer. 

"They promised us consultation. We all met with them and they said we'll consult, trust us. Well, we've waited three months and we don't' trust them. They have not been transparent and they have not been honest with the people in this community," said Yasmin Catley.

"I believe the Transport Minister and the company have stuffed this up, it's the only way to say it," said RTBU Divisional Secretary Chris Preston.

Both Keolis Downer and Transport Minister Andrew Constance have been approached for comment.