The Tasmanian Association of State School Organisations has slammed Metro drivers over their planned industrial action. Picture: PAUL SCAMBLER
A STATE school body has slammed a stop-work action by Metro drivers that is scheduled to hit during Friday's peak morning school commute.
Metro chief executive officer Heather Haselgrove said the Rail, Tram and Bus Union had advised Metro of its intention to hold a stop-work meeting between 6 and 9am.
Ms Haselgrove said the services could remain disrupted until 11am as Metro worked to get drivers back on schedule.
Tasmanian Association of State School Organisations Jen Eddington said the action would have an enormous impact on students.
``Last week, their stop-work meeting (held between 10am and 2pm on Thursday) was timed so it didn't disrupt school travel times,'' Mrs Eddington said.
``They had a lot of support behind them for that. Now, people are not so supportive because of the disruption.''
Mrs Eddington said there were more issues at hand than just disruption - she said it jeopardised the safety of students.
``With parents being forced to drive their kids to school, it will increase traffic congestion and make an unsafe environment around schools,'' she said.
``Some students will have to stay home, and could be left at home unattended all day.''
Drivers are negotiating their enterprise bargaining agreement and are demanding a 3 per cent pay rise each year for three years; a 2 per cent rise for the same time period was rejected last week.