The work stoppage, which is expected to last 24 hours from 3.00am on Wednesday, May 28, will affect over a third of Victoria’s bus network.
Bus services across Victoria are set to be majorly disrupted this coming Wednesday, May 28, with over 800 bus drivers at two of the state’s biggest bus companies on strike.
Co-ordinated by the Transport Workers’ Union (TWU), the strike comes following stalled employee negotiations with Dyson Group and CDC Victoria.
The Department of Education is notifying schools of the disruption.
CDC Victoria will not run any bus services in Geelong, Wyndham and Ballarat. Schools services will also not run.
CDC Victoria will only run school services in Oakleigh, Tullamarine, Sunshine and Mildura.
Routes operated by Dysons will run to a Saturday timetable across Melbourne, but with extended hours on several routes. Routes 301- Reservoir – Latrobe Uni express, 389 – Mernda Station – Doreen Loop and 546 – Heidelberg Station to Queen Victoria Market/Melbourne Uni will not run and passengers are advised to consider alternative public transport options.
School services on all Dysons routes will continue to operate.
“We are aware of planned industrial action impacting bus services operated by Dysons and CDC on Wednesday, which has the potential to affect a significant number of routes across Melbourne, Geelong, Wyndham, Mildura and Ballarat,” a government spokesperson said.
“The Department of Transport and Planning will work with operators to minimise impacts to passengers as much as possible and ask passengers to visit the PTV website for regular updates.
“We encourage all parties involved to negotiate and achieve a resolution,” a government spokesperson said.
According to the TWU, both companies have refused decent improvements on rostering, safety and pay, with over 95 per cent of TWU members endorsing the strike when it went to a vote last week.
Together, the bus companies operate hundreds of bus routes and charter services and together, making up one-third of all routes across the state.
Commuters have been warned of major disruptions in Melbourne’s north and west, as well as regional cities Ballarat, Mildura and Geelong.
The strike is expected to last a full 24 hours, beginning at 3.00am on Wednesday, May 28.
“We wish to inform our passengers of potential disruption to our services due to possible strike action by drivers who are members of the Transport Workers’ Union (TWU),” a Dysons spokesperson said.
“Dysons’ proposal for a new Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA) in March will deliver significant wage and benefit outcomes for drivers, including a nine per cent year-one wage increase.
“Industrial action, if carried out, will cause unnecessary inconvenience to public transport bus passengers. As a family-owned business with over 73 years of delivering quality public transport and charter bus services, we’re committed to maintaining a reliable, high-quality service for our passengers. That’s why we’ve been working constructively to finalise a new EBA as soon as possible,” a Dysons spokesperson said.
The TWU says it is demanding a fair deal that recognises the critical role bus drivers play in keeping the community moving.
“The current offers from CDC and Dyson fall short. Our members have been patient, but that patience has run out,” TWU Victorian/Tasmanian director of organising Sam Lynch said.
“It’s time for CDC and Dyson to stop dragging their feet and start listening to workers’ calls for respect and a fair day’s pay.
“We’re standing together to lift the standard across Victoria’s bus network and improve wages, conditions and safety for every driver.”
“In 2022, more than 300 TWU bus drivers took protected strike action following Dyson’s failure to move on workers’ core demands, including safety and working conditions,” a TWU Facebook post reads.
“If management doesn’t come to the table with a better offer, TWU Members will take action again!”
In response, Dysons says the TWU’s decision to initiate industrial action is “disappointing” due to the impact it’ll have on public transport passengers in Melbourne’s northern corridor.
“Dysons is working closely with the Department of Transport and Planning to minimise disruption to our passengers and valued customers, should this action proceed. Our intention is to operate to a modified timetable during the period of industrial action.”
The operators say it has been negotiating “in good faith” with the TWU since January 2025 to reach a new EBA that benefits employees and the company. It says the TWU has “consistently rejected” the alternative wages and conditions offer that Dysons has presented, with a vote on Friday, May 9, revealing roughly 60 per cent of drivers didn’t support the proposed EBA.
“Since the proposed EBA was voted down, we have received no counteroffer from the union,” Dysons says.
“Dysons remains committed to reach[ing] [an] agreement on a new EBA within our current budget and mitigate any further industrial action. We urge the TWU to resume negotiations,” a Dysons spokesperson said.
Commuters should continue checking ptv.vic.gov.au for regular updates before travelling tomorrow.
CDC did not respond to a request for comment.
This report was amended at 9.43am following a response from the Victorian Government. The new information is in bold text.
