RTBU vote for protected industrial action on High Capacity Metro Trains

Victoria’s public transport union have threatened to further delay the state’s delivery of High Capacity Metro Trains as it ramps up a pay dispute.

Victoria’s public transport union have threatened to further delay the state’s delivery of High Capacity Metro Trains as it ramps up a pay dispute with the company building the fleet.

The Rail, Tram and Bus Union have been negotiating an enterprise deal for staff building the new longer trains but are now in dispute with Downer over a group of 34 workers.

The union has asked for the staff to be moved on to full-time contracts as part of the enterprise agreement but Downer has refused to budge on the issue.

In response, the union have voted to pursue protected industrial action over the matter in a move that could further push back a project that is more than a year behind schedule.

A new high capacity Metro train being prepared for service. Picture: State government

RTBU state secretary Luba Grigorovitch said secure local jobs were needed during difficult economic times.

“Where management have failed in the timely delivery of this project, our members have worked tirelessly to find solutions and get the project back on track,” she said.

“This project is already well behind schedule and less jobs won’t get it done faster.

“We’re calling on the State government to hold the company accountable and ensure local jobs are respected in the future of train building in Victoria.”

The first of the 65 new 10-carriage trains began taking passengers on the network earlier this year and will eventually be used for services running through the Metro Tunnel.

But the $2.3 billion project has been delayed after modifications were needed for some parts during construction and extensive testing required for each train.

Downer, who committed to a 60 per cent local content requirement, have also been accused of pushing more work related to building the trains offshore.

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