‘Won’t hesitate to take industrial action’: Union warns it will stop trains, trams to get best deal

Strikes could plague Victoria’s public transport network this year as a powerful union looks to cash in on the Big Build and warns “we’ve stopped trains and trams before and will do it again”.

Strikes are expected for Victoria’s train and tram network. Picture: Ian Currie

Strikes are expected for Victoria’s train and tram network this year as the state’s public transport union seeks to cash in on the Big Build.

The Rail, Tram and Bus Union has started negotiating multiple new pay deals and is using the Metro Tunnel and next-generation trams to push for significant concessions.

It is yet to decide on a figure for annual pay hikes but the demands are tipped to be similar to other industrial claims, with unions like the CFMEU believed to be seeking increases in the range of eight per cent for major agreements.

Both Metro Trains and Yarra Trams pay deals are being negotiated and V/Line discussions are expected soon.

The union has warned it is prepared to stop trains and trams again to get a good deal, raising expectations of industrial action on the railways for the first time in more than three years.

In 2019, workers asked rail operators for an annual pay increase of six per cent.

The Rail, Tram and Bus Union has started negotiating multiple new pay deals. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui

This kicked off months of negotiations and industrial action, which included shutting down regional rail lines and grinding the entire tram network to a halt for hours at a time.

The RTBU also threatened to shut down trams during the 2020 Grand Prix, one of the network’s busiest periods, forcing a last-minute intervention from the Andrews government to mediate the dispute.

After this, the Covid pandemic and resulting lockdowns cooled negotiations and agreements were struck.

These deals expire within weeks and the RTBU is expected to launch a major campaign as they negotiate new pay increases amid soaring inflation and skills shortages.

It will also be the first agreement which seeks to capitalise on the fact RTBU members will soon be working on signature transport Andrews government projects, with the Metro Tunnel to open to trains by 2025.

State secretary Vik Sharma said now was the time to establish working conditions for these “city-shaping projects”.

V/Line discussions are expected to occur soon. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Key issues will include staffing levels at new stations, training for new equipment such as high capacity signalling and more flexible working arrangements.

“Our members understand what’s at stake.” Mr Sharma said.

“With new technologies, the Metro Tunnel, new trains and other big build projects, they need certainty around their jobs for the future.

“With next generation trams on the horizon, the Yarra agreements must acknowledge the significant changes coming, lock-in training, job opportunities and fairness for all from testing through to operations.”

Mr Sharma said the union wanted changes to ensure their members had greater job security.

“We won’t hesitate to take industrial action to secure what is best for our members,” he said.

“We’ve stopped trains and trams before and will do it again to get what is fair for our members.”

Part-time staffing levels are also expected to feature in the Yarra Trams discussions after it was a key sticking point during the 2019 dispute.