Rail workers accept smaller 2 per cent pay rise, ending standoff

Rail drivers and staff have accepted a State Government pay offer ahead of private bosses taking over from January.

Keolis Downer CEO David Frank at the Adelaide Railway Station. He takes over as the boss of rail workers in January. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

South Australian train drivers and other rail staff have voted overwhelmingly in favour of the a pay increase of 2 per cent per annum over the next three years.

Treasurer Rob Lucas welcomed the result as a “victory for common sense” and a “huge show of support” with 85 per cent of 221 train drivers and other rail staff voting in favour.

“We are delighted that our train drivers and other rail staff have accepted what is an exceptionally fair and reasonable offer of 2 per cent per annum pay rises over the next three years, particularly at a time when other jurisdictions are freezing pay rises for public sector employees,” he said.

“We value the work of our rail staff and welcome their overwhelming show of support for the Government’s enterprise agreement offer.”

The vote came after the Rail, Tram and Bus Union last month ended a pay rise campaign of 4 per cent each year for four years.

The union cited fears by workers they would be treated less generously if the pay deal continued until January, when private bosses Keolis Downer take over as their employer.

The rail agreement follows similar State Government deals with tram drivers, nurses and teachers.

The Government has applied to the Fair Work Commission for the agreement’s formal approval.

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