Yarra Trams staff strike again as RTBU prepare for lengthy battle with operators
Melbourne’s tram network has been crippled once again as drivers walk off the job amid a bitter industrial dispute, with delays predicted after the four-hour strike.
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Bitter industrial disputes between operators and the union are likely to wreak havoc on commuters for months, as the tram network once again grinds to a halt today.
Yarra Trams operational staff walked off the job from 10am to 2pm, with services running before and after the stoppage also to be hit by delays and disruptions.
Replacement buses running at limited services will be running to move customers around during the shutdown.
It is the second strike from operational staff working for the company and a third stoppage is already scheduled for October 10.
It comes as the Rail, Tram, and Bus Union is also battling Metro Trains in court over the right to launch industrial action and is yet to reach a new agreement with V/Line.
State secretary Luba Grigorovitch said Yarra Trams had not been transparent and called on the Andrews Government to step in.
“Yarra Trams is a private multinational company but it obviously contracts with the State Government to operate the tram network,” she said.
“The state government and the public transport minister have been nowhere to be seen throughout this.
“The minister has not been putting the necessary pressure on Yarra Trams to change its unreasonable conduct and reach a fair deal with the RTBU.”
Staff have been offered a 12 per cent pay increase over four years but this deal was rejected.
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Yarra Trams chief executive Nicolas Gindt said the strike was unnecessary.
“We are disappointed that the RTBU went to industrial action that will create disruption on the network tomorrow,” he said.
“We have actually improved our offer several times since we started discussions in March.”
A government spokeswoman said:
“As with all private enterprise negotiations, this remains a matter for the parties involved.
“There is still time for them to resolve this, and I urge the operators and the union to negotiate in good faith.”