Gold Coast light rail: Tram services threatened by ‘unprecedented industrial action’

Tram services on the Gold Coast face grinding to a stop, with workers threatening unprecedented industrial action. FIND OUT WHY

Tram services on the Gold Coast are at risk of “imminent” major stoppages by workers threatening unprecedented industrial action over what they call a “substandard” contract offer.

The Bulletin can reveal future strike action is likely on light rail after a breakdown in negotiations with union members and operators KDGC for an enterprise bargaining agreement.

The light rail has never been subject to a strike since the first tram rolled out in 2014.

The Australian Rail, Tram and Bus Industry Union late on Tuesday in the Fair Work Commission put forward an application for a “protected action ballot order”.

Trams could be brought to a halt. Picture Glenn Hampson

“We’ve started voting on protected industrial action due to a breakdown in EBA negotiations. At this stage a strike seems imminent,” a worker said.

Tom Brown, the union’s acting state secretary, remains confident of gaining the green light for industrial action as members continue to be balloted on options including stop works.

“Today is a last-ditch attempt by the Commission I supposed to resurrect the negotiations. If that fails, they won’t object to the industrial action should the members actually support it in the ballot,” Mr Brown said.

“The next agreement was for the next three years. It was a substandard offer. The members are not very happy with it.

Tom Brown.

“Upfront it’s only four per cent (increase) but that’s not even guaranteed next year or the year after because of the formula that they are using. Now CPI is at 5.6 per cent or so over the year. It’s too volatile for us to settle again for something below the CPI.”

The union represents more than 100 drivers, customer services officers and the regulators.

Mr Brown said members would continue to vote until next week on whether to take strike action or stop work.

“They can’t really afford not to take that action considering the poor pay offer this year on top of last year,” Mr Brown said.

“It just puts them too far behind the cost of living race.”

GoldlinQ CEO Phil Mumford said he was hopeful of an outcome to the negotiations.

“Enterprise bargaining agreement negotiations between our contractor and union representatives are ongoing,” he said.

We are hopeful these negotiations will be successfully concluded soon.”