Strike while the rails are hot
By Exclusive Kieran Rooney
Herald Sun
Thursday 8th June 2023
495 words
Page 3 | Section: NEWS
260cm on the page
Strike while the rails are hot
Union’s Big Build demand: More pay, or else
Exclusive
Kieran Rooney
Strikes are expected on Victor-
ia’s train and tram network this
year as the state’s public trans-
port union could demand an-
nual hikes to workers’ wages in
the region of 8 per cent.
The Rail, Tram and Bus
Union has started negotiating
multiple new pay deals and is
using the Metro Tunnel and
next-generation trams to push
for significant concessions.
It is yet to decide on a figure
for annual pay hikes but the de-
mands are tipped to be similar
to other industrial claims, with
unions like the CFMEU be-
lieved to be seeking increases
in the range of 8 per cent. Both
Metro Trains and Yarra Trams
pay deals are being negotiated
and V/Line discussions are ex-
pected soon.
The union has warned it is
prepared to stop trains and
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trams again to get a good deal,
raising expectations of indus-
trial action on the railways for
the first time in more than
three years.
In 2019, workers asked rail
operators for an annual pay in-
crease of 6 per cent.
This kicked off months of
negotiations and industrial ac-
tion, which included shutting
down regional rail lines and
grinding the entire tram
­network to a halt for hours at a
time.
The RTBU also threatened
to shut down trams during the
2020 Grand Prix, one of the
network’s busiest periods, forc-
ing a last-minute intervention
from the Andrews government
to mediate the dispute.
After this, the Covid pan-
demic and resulting lockdowns
cooled negotiations and agree-
ments were struck.
These deals expire within
weeks and the RTBU is expect-
ed to launch a major campaign
as it negotiates new pay in-
creases amid soaring inflation
and skills shortages.
It will also be the first agree-
ment that seeks to capitalise on
the fact RTBU members will
soon be working on Andrews
government signature Big
Build projects, with the Metro
Tunnel to open to trains by
2025.
State secretary Vik Sharma
said now was the time to estab-
lish working conditions for
these “city-shaping projects”.
Key issues will include staff-
ing levels at new stations,
­training for new equipment
such as high-capacity signal-
ling and more flexible working
arrangements.
“Our members understand
what’s at stake.” Mr Sharma
said. “With new technologies,
the Metro Tunnel, new trains
and other big build projects,
they need certainty around
their jobs for the future.
“With next generation trams
on the horizon, the Yarra
agreements must acknowledge
the significant changes com-
ing, lock in training, job oppor-
tunities and fairness for all,
from testing through to
­operations.”
Mr Sharma said the union
wanted changes to ensure their
members had greater job
­security.
“We won’t hesitate to take
industrial action to secure what
is best for our members,” he
said. A Yarra Trams spokes-
man said they had put forward
a competitive offer for drivers,
other front-line employees,
tram maintainers and infra-
structure employees.
“We will work collaborative-
ly with union and employee
bargaining representatives to
reach a deal that’s fair,” he said.