Brisbane bus drivers have taken industrial action, walking off the job for two hours, in a dispute over pay with the Brisbane City Council. The strike, which took place between 4am and 6am, affected up to 436 bus trips, with the potential for flow-on delays and congestion throughout the morning peak. Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner warned that the strike would have "significant impacts across the city" and that there "could be a flow-on effect into the morning peak". The council had offered a 7 per cent pay rise over two years, but the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) is seeking a higher increase, citing the need for a fair and reasonable offer that keeps pace with the cost of living.

The RTBU's Queensland secretary, Tom Brown, stated that the union was seeking an 8.6 per cent pay rise, but was "expecting to reach somewhere in between" that and the council's offer. The union has expressed frustration with the council's offer, which it believes is below inflation and does not adequately address the financial pressures faced by bus drivers. The council, on the other hand, maintains that its offer is fair and reasonable, and that it has already increased the pay of council workers by 9 per cent over the last couple of years. The dispute has highlighted the challenges of balancing the needs of workers with the need to keep costs down for residents, with Brisbane Transport Chair councillor Ryan Murphy stating that a balance needs to be struck between delivering services and keeping costs down.

The strike has caused disruptions to the morning commute, with commuters advised to allow extra time for travel or seek alternative arrangements. The council has brought in casual, replacement drivers not involved in the strike to limit the disruption, but the action is still expected to have a significant impact on the city's transport network. The RTBU has warned that the industrial action could intensify if the union's demands are not met, with further disruptions possible in the coming days. The council has stated that it will continue to negotiate in good faith, but the union is seeking a more substantial offer to address the economic pressures faced by its members.

The dispute has also highlighted the issue of safety for bus drivers, with new data from the RTBU showing an increase in assaults against Brisbane City bus drivers over the last three years. The union has expressed concern about the safety of its members, and has called for greater action to be taken to protect them. The council has stated that it is working with the state government to address the issue, and has implemented measures such as CCTV and driver-protection barriers to improve safety. However, the union believes that more needs to be done to address the root causes of the problem, and to ensure that bus drivers are able to work in a safe and secure environment.

The next negotiation between the council and the union is scheduled for Thursday afternoon, and it remains to be seen whether a resolution can be reached. The dispute has highlighted the challenges of negotiating pay and conditions for workers in the transport sector, and the need for a fair and reasonable offer that takes into account the needs of both workers and residents. The council and the union will need to work together to find a solution that balances the competing demands of the dispute, and that ensures the safe and efficient operation of the city's transport network. Some of the key points in the dispute include: * The RTBU is seeking a pay rise of 8.6 per cent * The council has offered a 7 per cent pay rise over two years * The dispute has affected up to 436 bus trips * The council has brought in casual, replacement drivers to limit the disruption * The union has warned that the industrial action could intensify if its demands are not met