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.

Morale very low among Newcastle's bus drivers

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Transport operator Keolis Downer has only been operating in Newcastle for six weeks and already they're being blamed for mistreating and underpaying their workers.

Morale is reportedly very, very low among Newcastle's bus drivers as they deal with the frustration of allegedly being given incorrect wages, shift penalties and superannuation payments which has left them out of pocket for over a month.

Shadow Minister for the Hunter Kate Washington says the company is also blaming bus drivers for services being cancelled when in most situations it has been the company's fault alone.

"Six weeks in and we've seen 170 services cancelled and those cancellations have been blamed on the drivers. Drivers who aren't being paid for the hours they're working and that's just not on,"

Image showbus.com

"I've heard from at least three different drivers but I understand it is across the workforce and there are systemic problems in the system that Keolis Downer is trying to implement. Morale is very, very low amongst all the drivers, they don't feel like they're being given respect," said Kate Washington.

In a statement, Keolis Downer say there have been no cuts to services across Newcastle's public transport but they have had a lot of drivers unable to work due to the terrible flu season.

They say they are in the process of recruiting more drivers to make up for those unable to work and even though it's inconvenient for customers, they'd rather them be healthy and safe and not catch the flu from sick drivers.

Already they've welcomed eight new drivers to their Newcastle fleet in the past week.

But Kate Washington wants answers to the claims of mistreatment and she's written to the Transport Minister demanding support.

"It just feels like Newcastle has been the guinea pigs in all of this. And the government now needs to revise and review its plans to further privatise public transport elsewhere, there are plans afoot for Sydney and that needs to stop now."