ARTC renegates on commitment to meet combined rail unions to resolve dispute

*** Note this dispute excludes train drivers**

The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) has reneged on its commitment to meet with the combined rail unions (RTBU, ASU, ETU, and Professionals Australia) just two days after ARTC CEO John Fullerton agreed to meet in Newcastle this Tuesday 9 August.

In an effort to move the dispute toward resolution Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) NSW Branch Secretary, Alex Claassens, on behalf of the combined rail unions contacted Mr Fullerton and offered to withdraw two one hour workplace stoppages on Monday if Mr Fullerton agreed to meet in Newcastle on Tuesday.

While the combined rail unions held up their end of the bargain by withdrawing the two workplace stoppages, on Monday afternoon they were contacted by the ARTC and told that the meeting on Tuesday was called off and Mr Fullerton would not be attending.

“We are deeply disappointed that the ARTC has behaved in such an underhanded and distrustful manner,” Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) NSW Branch Secretary, Alex Claassens told media in the Hunter.

Read the full media release here.