More Melbourne train, tram strikes on way amid enterprise agreement debate
Commuters stranded in this week’s transport chaos are set to be hit by more strikes as furious workers plan to continue walking off the job in coming weeks.
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Commuters are set to be hit with more tram and train strikes over coming weeks as the state’s public transport union continues to pressure operators and the government.
It comes as trams ground to a halt on Thursday for the second time this week and added to a day of commuter chaos across the public transport network.
Leaders in the Rail, Tram and Bus Union will meet on Friday as they plan the next wave of industrial action in their battle for a new pay deal.
Longer strikes and timing more action around major events are understood to be on the table as negotiations over a new enterprise agreement continue.
Services across the Metro network were cancelled on Thursday morning because a group of 48 train drivers had been stood down for refusing to drive on new tracks in South Yarra.
But the Fair Work Commission issued an interim order ruling the drivers return to work and the timetable is expected to return to normal on Friday.
The union has asked Metro, V/Line and Yarra Trams for a 6 per cent pay rise year on year but have also railed against other measures including a push for part-time rostering.
RTBU state secretary Luba Grigorovitch said delegates had been pushing for more industrial action.
“They know that we are in this fight for the long haul and we will not surrender until we have a fair and reasonable deal,” she said.
“It is time the company and the government understand what this fight is about.
“The sooner they understand and assist; the sooner these stoppages will end.”
Public Transport Minister Melissa Horne this week offered a mediator to assist in V/Line discussions.
But Ms Grigorovitch has also asked for mediators be appointed for negotiations with Metro and Yarra Trams and knocked back the government’s current offer.
In a letter to the public, Yarra Trams chief executive Julien Dehornoy apologised for the disruption.
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“We want to reach an agreement with the union which allows for more part-time employees, but not at the expense of our people,” he said.
“No driver will lose their job because of a part-time hire.”
The union has opposed the company’s push for more part-time rostering in negotiations because it believes it would casualise the workforce.
Mr Dehornoy said the company had made guarantees about overtime preferences and job security.
Melburnians have also been warned public transport services will be affected as the mercury soars past 40C on Friday.
Buses will replace trams on routes 78 and 82 and route 30 trams will not run.
Extreme heat timetables will also be used across the entire V/Line network and Metro staff will monitor conditions in case speed restrictions are needed throughout the day.