Brisbane City Council have unanimously voted to approve funding for upgrades to amenities in bus depots following pressure from the bus driver’s union and Council’s Labor Opposition.
At yesterday’s Council meeting, the first one following the summer recess, $728,000 in funding was approved for upgrades to bus driver amenities in Forest Lake, Moggill, and St Lucia.
The Rail, Tram and Bus Union have been campaigning for improvements for the last 6 years. Late last year, they released the “It’s a Bloody Mess Report”, revealing that bus drivers were intentionally dehydrating themselves and developing UTI’s from holding in urine due to the lack of clean and accessible facilities. The report also linked poor workplace conditions to worsening driver attrition rates.
Additionally, bus drivers complained about floors “soaked in urine”, which seeped onto driver’s shoes and clothes.
Council have previously cited recruitment and retention struggles as a reason for not putting on more bus services.
Some of the existing amenities are not connected to a water supply and rely on a chemical solution clear waste.
While the LNP majority Council insisted the upgrades were not in response to the report, Brisbane Labor Opposition leader Jared Cassidy was not convinced.
“It’s like clockwork. If there’s one tried and true method to awaken a Lord Mayor asleep at the wheel, it’s to have bad media about an issue…”
“When you have bus drivers themselves turn up to City Hall and rally for better working conditions… it’s no surprise to see after the unions release the “It’s a Bloody Mess report, Adrian Schrinner and his LNP Council do something.”
The RTBU is calling for a mandatory national standard for transport workers which includes:
- Guaranteed access to dedicated women’s toilet facilities
- Proper sanitary disposal units serviced regularly by contractors
- Regular cleaning and maintenance of all facilities to ensure they are clean, safe and adequately equipped
- Freedom for workers to take toilet breaks when needed, without interference or humiliation
Council meetings resume next Tuesday, 1PM.
