Rail, Tram and Bus Union to push for 6 per cent pay rise for train and tram divers

Train and tram drivers would receive a whopping 6 per cent pay rise each year under a bold industrial push from the state’s public transport union.

Train and tram drivers would receive a whopping 6 per cent pay rise each year under a bold industrial push from the state’s public transport union.

Negotiations for the union’s next enterprise agreement are under way and the Herald Sun understands the Rail, Tram and Bus Union will argue for the unprecedented pay increase for all staff.

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The move is set to put the union on a collision course with the Andrews Government’s latest wages policy, which capped public servant pay rises at 2 per cent.

V/Line staff are covered under the policy but the RTBU will push for all staff at Metro, Yarra Trams and the regional rail provider to receive the same 6 per cent increase.

It comes after the Australian Services Union this week flagged a stoush with the state government over the cap. RTBU state secretary Luba Grigorovitch said industrial action was likely if her members were limited to a rise of 2 per cent.

The Rail, Tram and Bus Union will argue for the unprecedented pay increase for all staff.

“Public transport is a growing industry and a demanding one. My members won’t cop these low quantums, nor should they,” she said.

“Ultimately, this will lead to strike action. We refuse to be ­constrained by the state ­government’s wages policy. RTBU members have an expectation and deserve a higher wage increase than 2 per cent per annum.

“Traditionally, the quantum for Metro, Yarra Trams and ­V/Line have all been the same and the RTBU will not be stepping away from this.”

The average train driver is believed to earn a package of about $143,000 off the back of a pay deal that ended a long-running stoush between the RTBU and Metro in 2015.

Story on overcrowded trams in Prahran area. Picture: Valeriu Campan

A Metro spokesman said the operator was progressing negotiations in good faith.

“Our aim is to reach fair and reasonable agreements for our employees before the current ones expire and ensure we keep Melbourne’s trains moving,” he said.

A government spokesman said: “We value the integral role our hardworking staff play in helping Victorians get where they need to go.

“We expect all parties involved to negotiate in good faith in the interest of their staff, organisations and the travelling public.”

A Yarra Trams spokeswoman said the operator was ­continuing to progress ­negotiations.

“We are committed to achieving a fair and reasonable outcome for our people, ­passengers and the community,” she said.

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