Industrial action in Victoria impacting commuters, businesses

Seems like there’s no end to industrial action in Melbourne at the moment. Here’s everything you need to know about all the strikes around the state and how it could impact you.

Trams strikes keep on happening. Picture: Nicole Garmston

Victoria has been hit with several major strikes recently and it looks like there are no signs of industrial action slowing down.

The strikes have caused headaches for Victorian commuters and holiday-makers and there’s more to come.

Here’s what’s happened to so far and what’s planned.

V/LINE

Last week, V Line workers shut down the Bendigo, Ballarat and Swan Hill lines.

This week will see the Traralgon, Bairnsdale, Albury, Shepparton and Seymour trains come to a halt on Wednesday December 18 and the Warrnambool and Geelong lines will stop on Thursday December 19.

Due to industrial action, no @vline_seymour trains will run on the Seymour, Shepparton and Albury lines from first to last service tomorrow.

Coaches will replace trains. Please allow an extra 60 minutes for your journey.

Find out more: https://t.co/9ohZjiJLpn pic.twitter.com/uQ4elFdVCJ

— PTV (@ptv_official) December 16, 2019

The strikes have impacted people in the regions coming to and from the city for work.

The Rail, Tram and Bus Union is asking V Line for a six per cent wage increase.

Regional commuters are being forced off trains and onto buses. Picture: Peter Ristevski

Buses will replace train services however travellers have been advised this will cause hour-long delays.

JETSTAR

Jetstar workers walked off the job on Friday and the strike continued over the weekend causing almost 100 flights to be cancelled over Saturday and Sunday.

More Jetstar flights could be cancelled. Picture: Jamie Hanson

The strikes are expected to be ongoing causing travellers months of pain and uncertainty.

The Australian Federation of Air Pilots wants a 15 per cent pay increase which Jetstar says is unsustainable and would cause fare hikes for customers.

Ground crew and baggage handlers are preparing to strike again after Jetstar rejected a Transport Workers Union demand for a new wage deal.

VICTORIA POLICE

In a different vein to the transport chaos the state has endured, Victoria Police who want better wages, began industrial action yesterday.

A police car with slogans ahead of the industrial action campaign today. Picture: (AAP/James Ross)

Police have been negotiating a pay deal with the state government, however no movement has been made.

Striking officers have written messages across police cars regarding their pay demands, and will hand out leaflets at train stations and put up posters outlining their stance.

Victoria police said the community do not need to worry and policing in the state will be to it’s usual standard.

YARRA TRAMS

Yarra Trams has seen its workers strike four times in recent months, the last of which occurred on December 10.

Trams strikes in Melbourne have been all too regular. Picture: Nicole Garmston

The strikes took place between 10am and 2pm typically, however still managed to disrupt passengers’ journeys and cause delays some time after the strikes.

Yarra Trams wants to lift the current cap on part-time employees from four per cent to a maximum of 15 per cent and has offered 12 per cent wage increases over four years.

The Rail, Tram and Bus union claims this will destroy job security and reduce pay.