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Visit the Loco Division throws support behind light rail drivers
The Loco Division is supporting our comrades in the Tram and Bus Division who have recently been forced to take protected industrial action as part of enterprise agreement negotiations.
Here’s the latest:
The safety of Sydney’s light rail commuters is being put at serious risk by dangerously crowded carriages, increased driver shift limits, and unrealistic passenger turnaround times, light rail drivers have warned.
Sydney light rail drivers say they have been forced to take protected industrial action to address the situation, with Transdev – the company which runs Sydney’s light rail services – refusing to address drivers’ safety concerns as part of current enterprise agreement negotiations with drivers.
Light rail drivers recently unanimously voted to take protected industrial action. The first action took place last Friday when drivers will refuse to wear their uniform to work, and since then drivers have staged 4 hour and 24 hr stoppages.
RTBU Tram and Bus Division Secretary, Chris Preston, said that despite more than nine months of negotiations, Transdev is still refusing to take drivers’ concerns seriously.
“One of the major concerns for drivers is the company’s current attempt to increase driver shift limits as part of the current negotiations,” Mr Preston said.
“Patronage on Sydney’s light rail has increased by 85 per cent in the past 12 months and yet drivers have managed to cut running times on the Dulwich Hill line by six minutes. Drivers are doing everything they can to keep the system running smoothly and are already stretched to the limit, yet the company is still trying to squeeze more out of them.
“The safety of commuters is already being put at risk – any further cuts would have serious safety consequences for workers and passengers.
“We’re hopeful that Transdev will agree to listen to drivers’ concerns and come back to the negotiating table. Drivers don’t want this protected action to impact on commuters, but their safety and the safety of passengers is too important to ignore.”
BREAKING: As of 22 June, Transdev and the RTBU have reached in-principle agreement on a new enterprise agreement. The union is now awaiting formal written offer from the company which will then be put to members to vote on. Stay tuned.
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