Tram drivers plan to strike ahead of AFL Grand Final
The Rail, Tram and Bus Union will ramp up its battle with Yarra Trams over a fresh pay deal in the coming weeks, with drivers set to strike during one of Melbourne’s busiest periods.
VIC News
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Strike action will shut down Melbourne’s tram network ahead of the Grand Final weekend after the state’s public transport union announced staff would walk off the job twice over the next month.
The Rail, Tram and Bus Union will launch two four-hour work stoppages on September 26 and October 10 as they continue to battle with Yarra Trams over a fresh pay deal.
Each strike will run from 10am to 2pm and impact services either side as trams are sent back to the depot, with the September stoppage likely to affect tourists arriving ahead of the Grand Final public holiday.
Escalating industrial action could also create major disruptions and delays for passengers heading into Spring Carnival.
RTBU state secretary Luba Grigorovitch said staff had already rejected two enterprise agreements Yarra Trams had put out to a vote
“Since the second vote, Yarra Trams has stubbornly refused to move from the position voted down by its workforce,” she said.
“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.
“Our members just want to be respected through fair wages and conditions.”
“We have notified Yarra Trams of the stoppages well in advance so it can reflect on its position and then hopefully bargain sensibly.”
The RTBU came to the negotiating table asking for a 6 per cent pay rise year on year and have refused Yarra Trams’ previous offer which included an annual increase of 3 per cent.
Changes to current rules that cap part-time staff at 4 per cent of the workforce have also been a key sticking point.
“Yarra Trams says its new part time plans will lead to diversity and inclusivity but the actual shifts and rosters proposed are completely unsuitable for workers with child care and caring responsibilities,” Ms Grigorovitch said.
“The RTBU has done its best to minimise the impact on commuters by limiting the stoppages to 4 hours in the off peak and holding them on Thursdays.”
A spokesperson for Yarra Trams said the upcoming industrial action “is unnecessary and unproductive.”
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“We have offered to meet with the Union at any time,” the spokesperson said.
“Yarra Trams’ offers have taken on board feedback and made adjustments to our part-time proposal, as well as adding sign on bonuses in addition to a good offer of 12 per cent over four years.
“Since the beginning of negotiations, the RTBU have not moved on any position relating to salaries and changes to part-time.
“We share our passengers’ frustration that services will be unnecessarily disrupted by the RTBU once again. We will work to reduce the impact as best we can and will keep passengers informed.
“We have made a good offer and yet the union is choosing to take action that will impact all of Melbourne, including passengers who rely on the tram network as their sole mode of transport.”
The first wave of strike action hit the tram network at the end of August.