Third tram strike of 2019 to bring network to a halt in Melbourne
No trams will run for hours today, when Yarra Trams staff walk off the job. Public transport users have been warned to expect delays - see how your commute will be affected.
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Commuters have been warned to expect delays today when Yarra Trams staff walk off the job for four hours of stoppages.
No trams will run in Melbourne between 10am and 2pm when Rail, Tram and Bus Union strike over a protracted dispute about a new enterprise agreement.
But authorities warn services will also be impacted for up to two hours on either side of the stoppage.
Replacement buses with reduced services will run along some parts of the network and will prioritised hospitals, shopping centres and universities.
It is the third strike this year and a fourth is planned for December 5.
The union has asked for a 6 per cent pay rise year on year and has clashed with Yarra Trams over the company’s push to lift its cap on part-time staff.
RTBU state secretary Luba Grigorovitch said the union would continue to fight the changes.
“Yarra Trams’ plans will reduce the take home pay of full-time workers and destroy job security,” she said.
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“The union does not want to inconvenience the public but because of Yarra Trams’ completely unreasonable position we’ve been left with no choice other than to ramp up industrial action by taking stoppages on 28 November and 5 December.
“Yarra Trams employees have no choice but to take industrial action in the hope that the French multinational comes to its senses and offers a reasonable deal.”