Rail, Tram and Bus Union launches V/Line industrial action during Australian Open finals
Another round of public transport strikes will create chaos during the Australian Open, with V/Line staff to walk off the job in the same week as tram drivers.
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Public transport strikes will create chaos during the Australian Open, with V/Line staff to walk off the job in the same week as tram drivers.
Industrial action led by the Rail, Tram and Bus Union will shut down the Geelong and Warrnambool lines for 24 hours on January 29.
Staff will also refuse work to overtime on Mondays and Fridays, starting January 31, in a move which may delay services and prevent some trains from running.
Another 24-hour stoppage will shut down the Bendigo and Swan Hill lines on February 7.
It comes just days after the union announced tram drivers and operational staff would strike on January 28 and 30 as thousands of people flock to the tennis.
The union has asked for a 6 per cent pay rise year on year but the Andrews Government has held firm on its wages policy of 2 per cent for public servants.
V/Line is a state government owned corporation.
RTBU state secretary Luba Grigorovitch said contract conditions were also in dispute.
“Our members take great pride in their work, getting people from A to B, but when government and the company team up to attack their ability to deliver that service they take it very personally,” she said.
“The government is expecting V/Line workers to do more with less, more services less support, and our members just won’t stand for it.”
Ms Grigorovitch reiterated calls for a government-appointed mediator to become involved.
“Negotiations with V/Line continue to go in circles, we need a circuit breaker,” she said.
“We’re trying to find middle ground but V/Line have demonstrated they are unwilling to compromise.
“We don’t take any action lightly and ultimately would prefer it be avoided, but RTBU members are fed up and the public deserves a way forward,”
A government spokeswoman said:
“This is an incredibly disappointing decision, especially during the peak of our major events season.
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“There is still time for the parties to resolve this without impacting Victorians who rely on these services to get them where they need to go.”
A spokesperson for V/Line said that RTBU’s intention to take action was “extremely disappointing and will cause disruption to our passengers.”
“We received written advice of the RTBU’s intention to take further protected action in the coming weeks.”
“Discussions with RTBU took place as recently as last week, and we will continue discussions with the RTBU in good faith and again ask them to come back to the negotiating table.”
Originally published as Rail, Tram and Bus Union launches V/Line industrial action during Australian Open finals