The TWU (VIC/TAS Branch) wishes to advise that an in-principle enterprise agreement has been reached between the union and bus operator Ventura and protected industrial action planned for tomorrow has been suspended.
The decision to suspend the 24-hour stoppage was made by TWU Ventura negotiating committee members after the company met the union's claims at a meeting between the parties on Wednesday.
TWU (VIC/TAS Branch) Secretary and TWU National Vice-President John Berger said the new offer fully met the union’s Bus Industry Agreement 2018 claims and was another big win for the TWU after it successfully secured similar deals for CDC and Transdev members.
"The original offer from the company was insulting and, once it was obvious the company was not moving, our members decided they would have to fight for a decent increase," Mr Berger said.
"These drivers are hard-working members of the community and have mouths to feed and bills to pay and could not see any future benefit in what was originally on the table and they fought and forced the hand of the company.
"This win was the result of a lot of hard work by organisers and delegates and a long campaign where our members stayed strong and united. It proves to all Australian workers what can be achieved when workers stick together."
The final Ventura offer was a 4% wage increase and a 1% superannuation component on top of mandatory employer superannuation payments per annum.
The company also agreed to improve some allowances and conditions without any trade-offs.
"As a show of good faith in the bargaining process we have called off tomorrow's actions involving Ventura drivers to allow members the opportunity to vote on the proposals," Mr Berger said.
Ventura members reserve the right to take further protected actions should the new offer fail to be approved by members. The formal voting process will take up to four weeks.
