Yarra Trams, RTBU pay agreement revealed as feud ends
The details of Yarra Trams’ new pay deal have been revealed, following tram strikes and protests during a long-running stoush. It comes after days of intense mediation involving the transport union and state government.
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A lengthy dispute between Yarra Trams and the state’s Public Transport Union looks set to end after both sides reached an early agreement over a new pay deal.
Leaders within the organisations last night ticked off on a heads of agreement after three days of intense mediation involving the state government.
The document will now be considered by the leadership of the union’s tram division.
The agreement will deliver a yearly pay increase of 3.5 per cent to tram drivers and other operational staff, who will be back paid to July 1 last year.
The contract will also include protections around full-time rostering in exchange for an increase in the number of part-time employees.
The urgent negotiations were called in a bid to stop the RTBU’s plans to strike during every day of the Australian Grand Prix, sparking transport chaos.
Public Transport Minister Melissa Horne stepped into the dispute earlier this week.
A government spokesman said the strikes would have impacted one of Melbourne’s biggest events.
“The mediation, over the last three days, was attended by senior leadership from Yarra Trams and the RTBU, including Yarra’s CEO, and the RTBU‘s Branch Secretary and Tram Divisional Secretaries and facilitated by the head of Industrial Relations Victoria,” he said.
“The RTBU leadership will now recommend acceptance of the heads of agreement to its Tram Division Committee of Management.”
Ms Horne said the government had not offered any incentives to get the deal over the line.
“The government provided an independent mediator, which was requested, and that's the assistance that’s been provided,” she said.
“We had an opportunity to broker this deal and part of the conditions were that I was available for that.
“The most important thing is that a deal has now been reached.”
The union initially came to the table demanding a six per cent pay increase year on year.
Part-time workers will also be guaranteed a minimum of 23 hours per week after a big sticking point in negotiations was push by Yarra Trams to allow a higher percentage of part time staff.
RTBU state secretary Luba Grigorovitch said members would be happy with the result.
“Members now have the opportunity to feel secure and respected in the challenging work they do,” she said.
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“We now have a deal on the table, it’s a shame it took 8 disruptions and over 12 months of bargaining to get here.”
The operator has argued switches to part-time employment would allow them to hire a more diverse workforce.
But the union has contended the plans are an attempt to save money by stripping back entitlements and benefits.