Source : the age
Queensland Rail has reached an in-principle deal with the unions that represent train controllers – but commuters will not get relief with more frequent services yet.
The operator revealed an in-principle deal had been struck with the Rail, Tram and Bus Union and The Services Union, which cover more than 270 employees, on the Train Control Enterprise Agreement.
Key conditions included an 8.5 per cent wage increase over three years, plus an extra cost-of-living relief payment, up to 1 per cent in each of the second and third years, depending on inflation.
That was in line with the Queensland government-owned corporations wages policy.
There will also be a “strategic delivery allowance”, described as an added incentive to deliver major projects for Queensland.
Backpay will be paid from August 1.
It comes after QR reached an in-principle deal with three of its six existing enterprise agreements on June 30, which covered almost 3500 employees.
All agreements remain subject to board and government approvals.
Queensland Rail has been participating in bargaining in the Fair Work Commission with the unions since May, while services were reduced to the equivalent of a Saturday timetable, to allow the operator to cope with a maintenance backlog.
On Monday, 135 weekly services were restored during peak periods in the mornings and afternoons across the south-east Queensland network.
But QR warned a backlog of maintenance, compounded by ongoing industrial action, was preventing it from returning to the full timetable, even though it had reached agreements with two more unions.
Negotiations continue to finalise agreements with network and rollingstock employees, and a proposed electrical-only agreement sought by the Electrical Trades Union.
The Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU), which represents rollingstock employees, is still taking protected industrial action, including rolling work stoppages and a ban on overtime.
More meetings are scheduled this week before the Fair Work Commission.
Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg said Queenslanders wanted trains running, not ongoing industrial action.
“It is positive we’ve made progress on in-principle agreements, most recently with train controllers represented by the RTBU and TSU; however, protected industrial action, particularly by the AMWU, continues to delay a return to full-service running,” he said.
Ferry travellers have also been experiencing disruptions caused by protected industrial action as staff negotiate a new deal with RiverCity Ferries through the Australian Maritime Union.
There will be no Brisbane River ferry services on Friday, August 21, from 9am-11am and 4-6pm, and Saturday, August 22, from 11am to 1pm.
The Services Union, AMWU, RTBU and ETU were contacted for comment.
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