Rail strikes likely to affect Australian Open as pay talks stall
Potential strike action by the militant public transport union could coincide with the upcoming Australian Open, which would throw the plans of thousands of fans into chaos.
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Australian Open fans relying on public transport could have their plans thrown into disarray as the militant public transport union gears up for more strikes.
The Rail, Tram and Bus Union is understood be preparing its next wave of industrial action, with stoppages on V/Line and Yarra Trams likely to coincide with the busy summer event.
It comes as Herald Sun can reveal the average V/Line driver would receive an extra $25,000 within three years under the RTBU’s latest wage claim despite spending less than a third of their shift driving trains.
The Andrews Government is holding firm on its 2 per cent wages policy unless serious productivity gains can be made.
Analysis of the current agreement has found extensive vehicle and train checks, shift structures and other arrangements mean drivers spend an average 28 per cent of their work time travelling on the tracks.
The union is also refusing to budge on benefits such as six-hour shifts for late-night drivers and has fought back against a push for more flexible arrangements.
Patronage has boomed on V/Line services, with 1.5 million more passenger trips recorded in 2018-19 compared to the year before.
But this year more than 9700 services have run late and a further 2657 trains were cancelled.
V/Line has argued a more flexible roster is needed to provide better services and cater for growing demand.
Thousands of commuters will be crammed onto replacement services today as rolling strikes hit the Geelong and Warrnambool lines.
V/Line chief executive James Pinder said it was time for the union to come back to the negotiating table.
“If we focus the agreement on protecting the conditions and pay of employees it will give us the flexibility to implement modern ways of working, which will benefit both staff and passengers,” he said.
Under the union’s demands, driver salaries could soar close to a base rate of more than $160,000 and close to $200,000 once overtime and allowances are included.
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RTBU state secretary Luba Grigorovitch said the union was fighting for more resources as staff were asked to do more with less.
“V/Line have not even put forward an offer at this stage as they continue to drag their feet, but we remind them that while employees would expect a wage increase that keeps up with inflation, this dispute is all about conditions,” she said.
A government spokesman said:
“There is still time for the RTBU and VLine to resolve this without impacting regional Victorians who rely on these services to get them where they need to go.”