Rail, Tram, and Bus Union wins power to vote on strike action including 24-hour work stoppages as pay deal tensions escalate
A bitter fight between train drivers and Treasurer Rob Lucas could be coming to a stop near you, as the union considers strike action and scripted protest messages over the PA.
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Train drivers will consider industrial action including 24-hour strikes and protest messages read over the PA system, as a standoff over a new four-year pay deal deepens.
Treasurer Rob Lucas has attacked the Rail, Tram, and Bus Union over demands including a 4 per cent annual pay rise in each of the next four years, saying SA can’t afford it, labelling the latest moves “callous”.
The dispute also comes against the backdrop of tram operations having already been privatised, and outsourcing of train services expected to follow next year.
The RTBU has now won Fair Work Commission approval to hold a vote of members to decide what industrial action could be taken in their fight with the State Government.
Members will be asked to approve actions including an unlimited number of work stoppages for up to 24 hours, bans on overtime, wearing of union-branded face masks and making scripted protest announcements “at regular intervals over train announcement systems”.
The member vote must occur by October 15. However, it could be held earlier.
That would potentially allow industrial action to be taken as early as later this month.
The union has also released its “bottom line” negotiating positions, which include the 4 per cent annual pay increase, better rostering and ongoing free parking at worksites.
The RTBU has dropped a request for paid car washes for workers who attend the Adelaide Operation Control Centre in Dry Creek, which Mr Lucas branded as ridiculous.
However, it is seeking better protections against COVID infection, clear redeployment arrangements for workers and a job guarantee that will apply to the new private operator.
RTBU SA and NT secretary Darren Phillips said: “Rail workers are fighting to protect the health and safety of workers and commuters and protect SA jobs”.
“A new private operator will be under pressure to minimise costs wherever they can, so the only way to ensure workers and commuters will be protected in a potential COVID-19 outbreak is to lock in measures through this agreement,” Mr Phillips said.
“The RTBU is demanding that workers and commuters in lockdown areas be provided with masks, and workers in high-risks categories are able to stay safe. We’re also seeking guarantees around jobs and wage maintenance if a new private operator takes over.”
He said the privatisation moves were putting the jobs and livelihoods of South Australian workers at risk in the middle of a recession and Mr Lucas was using “dirty tactics”.
“Not only have they had to deal with the stress and anxiety of having their jobs privatised during an economic crisis, they have been maligned by Mr Lucas’ misleading and untruthful media statements,” Mr Phillips said. “Rail workers are not going to be intimidated.”
Mr Lucas said strike action would do nothing other than severely disrupt and disadvantage hardworking commuters and those most in need in our community in the middle of a global pandemic.
“For union bosses to go out of their way to cause even more distress and disruption to public transport passengers who are just trying to get on with their lives and go to and from work, or school, safely is not only callous, it’s counter-productive,” he said.
“No amount of strike action will give the Government any extra money to spend on unreasonable salary increases.
“The union bosses must do the right thing and immediately put a stop to this silliness and return to negotiations in good faith.”
The union has rejected Mr Lucas’ claim that the base salary for senior drivers would rise to $161,000. Tram drivers recently accepted a 2 per cent pay rise in negotiations.
Earlier this week, Mr Lucas said “greedy union bosses” were “trying to take us all for a ride with their ludicrous log of claims” and tone deaf to the wider impact of the COVID recession.
“It’s time rail union bosses appreciated the significant financial challenges facing South Australian taxpayers due to COVID-19 and negotiate in good faith,” Mr Lucas said.
Mr Lucas said the union’s pay request would cost the state $190 million over four years.
The Budget deficit this year is about $2 billion, and debt is set to surge past $30 billion.
The train pay deal will cover about 360 employees. However, a breakaway group of about 100 workers has engaged a separate negotiator and are not being represented by the RTBU.
Workers affected in negotiations include train drivers and related workers like platform staff.