Melbourne commuters could face major disruptions across the city’s train networks over the busy September period, with the state’s rail union threatening strike action over pay negotiations.
The potential industrial action, which may include strikes lasting up to 48 hours, could coincide with the school holidays, the AFL grand final and the Royal Melbourne Show.
The Victorian premier, Daniel Andrews, on Tuesday called for negotiations to continue in good faith, saying Melbourne is where “all the action is” in September.
The Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) confirmed it had filed documents with the Fair Work Commission to hold a vote of Metro Trains workers about protected industrial action.
Metro Trains and the rail union have been in negotiations over an enterprise agreement since March, after it expired in June. The union has rejected two offers by Metro Trains, labelling them “subpar”.
The premier said on Tuesday: “Sitting around the table having a good-faith negotiation is how you’ll get a balanced, bargaining outcome.
“I was of the view … there had been quite positive discussions. And I would urge they continue in that vein, rather that disputing the travelling public and those who might be visiting us from other parts of the country.”
Vik Sharma, the RTBU’s Victorian secretary, accused Metro Trains of not listening to staff.
“Metro’s last offer … has only agitated members across the network,” he said in a statement.
“We are yet to see meaningful commitments on the issues that matter to RTBU members.”
Sharma said increased workload, cost-of-living pressures and delivery of major projects like the Metro Tunnel were factors in the enterprise bargaining.
“Metro fails to acknowledge the hard work of the workers who make these initiatives possible.”
The union confirmed the latest offer from Metro Trains included a 4% pay rise each year over the four-year agreement, but stressed the negotiations were not about money but job security.
The union said it was committed to providing sufficient notice of strikes to ensure commuters could make alternative travel plans.
A potential strike would include train drivers, station staff, signallers, train controllers, authorised officers and other operational rail workers. The union’s members will vote on whether they support industrial action, which would include working overtime and wearing uniforms.
A Metro Trains spokesperson said it would continue to negotiate to resolve the dispute and “do everything in our power to avoid any unnecessary action that impacts passengers”.
“We’re committed to providing a competitive pay increase so we can continue to deliver the services needed to keep people moving,” the spokesperson said.
“We strongly urge the RTBU not to undertake industrial action [and] instead work with us to get a deal done.”
