COVID-19 infiltrates Depots

18 August, 2021

In the week commencing on 9th August, COVID-19 spread its tentacles amongst our members at the Leichhardt and Tempe Depots. By the end of the week, we had over 200 bus operators from Leichhardt and approximately 50 staff from Tempe depots being required to self-isolate for a period of 14 days which commenced from when they were first exposed. This is the first time we have had a mass group of bus operators required to self-isolate at the same time.

Due to the extraordinary numbers of bus operators isolating, the Leichhardt depot has been forced to operate on a Sunday timetable from 16 August with the small amount of bus operators they have left that can work.  This will continue until those bus operators self-isolating are permitted by NSW Health to return.

The union would like to send our thoughts and wishes for those members and their families who currently are having to deal with the COVID-19 virus, together with those members in self-isolation awaiting test results. 

If any member requires assistance during this time, please don’t hesitate to contact your local delegate or the union head office. It is important to know that help is not far away in the face of adversity. You can also access support here- https://www.beyondblue.org.au/

As the outbreak worsens across NSW and within the other regions, we do not doubt that more incidents will occur across the network (Ryde Depot as of today is seeing the latest outbreak). It is in these times we need to be supportive of each other and remember that we are all part of our work families and as families we all stick together.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with your delegate or the office.

Please stay safe and take care.

In Solidarity, 
David Babineau and Daniel Jaggers