(Cityrail) Sydney rail strike threat August 04, 2010

Sydney rail strike threat

From: AAP August 04, 2010 2:33PM

SOME Sydney rail workers are poised to walk off the job unless a row over pay and conditions can be resolved today.

Fair Work Australia is due to hear the case, but union officials say they hold little hope an agreement can be reached in time to avert the industrial action.

If that's the case, RailCorp administrators and maintenance workers will walk off for four hours on Thursday.

``If there is no outcome today, then industrial action is definitely going ahead,'' NSW Rail, Tram and Bus Unions (RTBU) branch secretary Alex Claassens told AAP.

``Even if there is agreement in principle ... until we see it in writing we will not believe it.''

RailCorp workers want a five per cent pay rise and promises that the increase will not have an impact on staffing levels.

If the talks fail, workers at maintenance depots and workshops in Hornsby, Flemington, Mortdale and Sydenham will walk off from 10am to 2pm (AEST) on Thursday.

Workers at RailCorp's administration office in Burwood will also walk off the job.

Mr Claassens said the action should have a minimal impact on commuters.

``This is the first action of many, and it has been deliberately designed to minimise disruption to the public,'' he said.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• cityrail
• railcorp
• nsw
• railways
• train
• RTBU

[robbeas]

@BradMilne101

The problem is tons and tons of middle management that labor government allows. Everyday there's a new bureaucratic department in the railways, 1995 we had 8 inspectors, we now have 200. The best example is that station staff reduced by 40%, this year 5 new "customer service managers" positions paid over 130k a year. More managers, to manage less people? Train crew haven't had a pay rise in 6 years, we have a right to get one as you do when inflation occurs.

[BradMilne101]

A government dept run by the unions which holds the government to ransom by threatening strikes which would cripple the economy. Corruption is widespread, the staff are overpayed and cost to the taxpayer is criminal. One day a state government with balls will privatise this joke and good riddens to you bastards when that happens.

[DIMATIF]

that's why cityrail rhymes with fail :D