New transport minister roasts bureaucrats over staff shorts ban

After being sworn in as the new transport minister, David Elliott said he is “flabbergasted” at the number of unresolved issues within the portfolio, like allowing rail workers to wear shorts.

Transport Minister David Elliott has let fly at his department chiefs over a “ludicrous” refusal to allow rail staff to wear shorts to work due to the risk of “mozzie bites”.

The outspoken former police minister — who has already met with the rail unions — has vowed to shake-up the troubled portfolio to deliver commuters clean and reliable trains, adding “extra toilet paper in Central Station won’t hurt either”.

Rail staff have long been agitating Transport for NSW to be able to wear short pants to work, claiming long pants were becoming unbearable during hot summer days.

While train crew are allowed to wear shorts, a review of uniforms conducted about a decade ago concluded that shorts exposed rail staff to safety risks such as insect bites, UV radiation and vegetation exposure.

It was also ruled longer pants were more presentable to the public for staff working on station platforms.

Rail workers are pushing to allow shorts to be part of their uniform. Picture: Justin Lloyd

The demand for staff to be able to wear shorts is contained in a 14-page log of claims the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) has put to the State government as it seeks to improve conditions for members.

Mr Elliott, who met with the union shortly before being sworn in as the new transport minister, said he was “flabbergasted” and the number of unresolved issues within the portfolio, joking how he considered not turning up to the ministerial swearing in ceremony.

The former police minister noted however police officers were allowed to wear shorts, as well as the gardeners at Government House.

Mr Elliott said it was “area of stupidity” that he vowed to resolve as the new minister.

“Some of these workers are working in 40 degree heat, but can’t wear shorts because a safety review claims they might get bitten by mosquitoes or stung by a bee,” he said.

“Police wear shorts. Our Diggers wore shorts. The gardeners at Government House wear shorts. As I told the bureaucrats, Betty Bankstown is not going to stop catching the train because the station attendants are wearing shorts. She just wants to get home.

“This is Australia. The rail staff aren’t serving champagne in a first class lounge. I said all we want are clean and reliable trains. And extra toilet paper in the toilets at Central Station won’t hurt either.”

Former police minister David Elliott plans to shake up the transport portfolio. Picture: Mick Tsikas/Getty

Many rail staff are wearing shorts already as part of a silent protest.

RTBU NSW Secretary Alex Claassens, who is allowed to wear shorts as a train driver, said he was glad Mr Elliott was approaching the issue with common sense.

Long pants should be restricted to staff working in heavy maintenance such as where welding might occur, he said.

Not only were station staff sweltering in the heat, management had also removed stools and chairs for “presentation” reasons.

“Our members are passionate about being able to wear shorts on a hot day,” Mr Claassens said.

“Even the shunters are undercover for 80 per cent of the time. We’re not operating steam trains. If we provide staff with safety equipment such as sunscreen and insect repellent, then there should not be an issue.”

The shorts ban is among a raft of issues facing the Government, with the union members last week refusing to drive foreign-built trains – about 75 per cent of services – as it sought to renegotiate a new enterprise agreement covering more than 10,000 staff.

Got a news tip? Email [e-mail]