Public transport chaos set to hit Melbourne as tram staff follow train operators into shutdown
Tram drivers have joined their Metro colleagues with both set to strike in August. Here’s when the planned shutdown will hit.
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Public transport passengers are in for a week of pain, with train and tram staff set to strike later this month over new workplace deals.
The protected industrial action by the Rail, Tram and Bus Union will see train members walk off the job on Tuesday August 27 and tram members shutdown services on Friday August 30.
State secretary of the union, Luba Grigorovitch, announced the tram stoppage today, saying the protest would be an “off-peak” between 10am and 2pm.
The train outages were flagged earlier this month.
Yarra Trams says the action is unnecessary and “we share our passengers’ frustration”.
But the militant union boss flagged it was a “first step” and that more action was likely unless Yarra Trams stops “playing games and instead get serious about bargaining”.
“Our members have emphatically rejected a substandard EBA offer from Yarra Trams on two occasions because neither offer respected or valued their hard work”, Ms Grigorovitch said.
“We are trying our best to minimise any inconvenience to commuters.”
A Yarra Trams spokeswoman said: “We will work to reduce the impact of any disruption as best we can, and will keep passengers informed so they can plan their journey.”
“We’re disappointed the RTBU has taken this step and we share our passengers’ frustration that our services may be unnecessarily disrupted,” the spokeswoman said.
Recent negotiations were viewed as constructive by the company, which is trying to lift the cap on part-time work to 15 per cent across the sector.
This would enable more flexible rosters, with the current cap stuck at 4 per cent.
The union has rejected this push, and has also demanded a 6 per cent pay rise each year of the agreement.
It is understood Yarra Trams is offering 3 per cent a year.
The RTBU ground services to a halt in 2015 when it was in dispute with public transport operators, forcing the Andrews Government to intervene.
Ms Grigorovitch issued an ominous warning when announcing the union’s latest shutdown of the network.
“We cannot rule out an escalation of industrial action if the company continues to deny our members an EBA which recognises their hard work,” she said.
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Yarra Trams hit back, saying the action is being taken “despite a recent productive meeting in the Fair Work Commission”.
“We have already made a good offer and yet the union is choosing to take action which could cause impacts throughout Melbourne.
“We remain committed to continuing discussions, to work towards a positive outcome for our people, passengers and the community.”