STATEMENT BY MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT, TRADE , EMPLOYMENT AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ON PLANNED 24-HOUR RAIL STOPPAGE

My hope and desire is that this planned 24-hour rail stoppage can be averted.

There is still plenty of time to reach a negotiated outcome without having to resort to strike action.

The basis remains for agreement to be reached – there is still a very generous offer on the table, both in terms of pay and conditions.

I understand that further talks will be held on Monday. I urge those who are pushing for a 24-hour strike to think of the economic circumstances we are all in, and the serious disruption and dislocation this stoppage will cause.

This is not the time for there to be a 24-hour rail stoppage, which can only seriously affect people getting to and from work and their businesses.

People rely on the trains to get to work and get to their jobs, and to carry on their business.

Given the current economic climate and the way it is expected to deteriorate further, this is the wrong time to be stopping people from being able to do that.

While QR has contingency plans to put in place to lessen the impact of the stoppage, we need to be very clear that it will cause serious disruption.

That is why I appeal to the union leadership to carefully consider the course of action they intend to take.

Media Contact: 3237 1994