State Government to make every effort to head off planned rail stoppages

Minister for Transport, Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel this morning in Parliament outlined the latest position regarding planned industrial action that will seriously disrupt train services next week.

Mr Mickel said 24-hour stoppages planned for the south-east Queensland rail network next Monday and Wednesday would impact 650 train services and approximately 170,000 rail commuters each day, as well as causing delays for existing and supplementary bus services, and serious traffic congestion on the roads.

“This morning in the Australian Industrial Relations Commission the Queensland Government will make application to join an action by QR seeking to have the bargaining period for the Enterprise Agreement terminated,” Mr Mickel said.

“This action is being taken in a bid to have the planned industrial action by the unions cancelled, and next week’s stoppages averted.

“The Government views this matter very seriously, and will make every effort to head off the stoppages planned for next week.

“I am extremely disappointed that talks have broken down between QR and the union executive.

“I am dismayed that the train crews would say that a pay rise of $20,000 over three years in return for some productivity improvements in the form of rostering trade-offs is not a very generous offer worth accepting – and instead are taking strike action.

“Over the past few days QR have offered a range of compromise positions to try and avert this unnecessary industrial action.

“They offered to compromise on the number of Sundays worked.

“QR also offered a new agreement which is basically a rollover of the existing agreement and continues the current rostering arrangements –­ in return for a 12.5 per cent pay rise over three years.

“I am astounded that the rail unions have failed to reach agreement with QR.

“I am also astounded that the rail unions have failed to reach agreement with one another

“What I find puzzling – what I find perplexing – is why we are having one union – the AFULE – causing a virtual shutdown of rail services on the Monday, when they walk off the job, but the RBTU is not joining them. The net effect, however, is that the rail system will be shut down.

“And then on Wednesday, both of them will stop work for 24 hours.

“I say to both unions: There is no need for this to occur. Why don’t you go down to the Commission today, voluntarily, and let the independent umpire settle this dispute.

“If this is such a poor deal, why won’t you do that, and let the Commission decide.

“There is no doubt the cancellation of rail services due to industrial action will place extreme pressure on remaining public transport services, as well as traffic congestion on the road network.

“We are putting detailed contingency plans in place, including making maximum use of buses and the busways, however people need to be aware that if these stoppages proceed there will be serious disruption.

Mr Mickel also outlined contingency plans TransLink will have in place:

oUp to 180 additional buses across the network.

oAdditional bus services across the network from select outer rail stations, as well as additional TransLink bus and ferry services.

oBus priority through key intersections where possible.

oSeveral hundred staff from TransLink, QR and other transport agencies on the ground assisting passengers

oAdditional police on traffic duty and all traffic incident management vehicles available

“I must stress that there will be a limit to the number of buses available and this will result in restricted rail replacement services’” Mr Mickel said.

“Commuters are encouraged to consider further ways of dealing with the rail stoppage if it went ahead such as:

oTravelling outside the morning and afternoon peaks

oStaying at home where possible or explore flexible work options

oOrganising car pooling with your neighbours or co- workers if you need to drive

oConsidering, or getting dropped off at bus stations

oMaking allowance for lengthy delays on existing and replacement bus services and expecting significant traffic congestion on the roads.

“Passengers are asked to refer to the website in the first instance (www.translink.com.au) as delays are expected at the busy TransLink call centre,” said Mr Mickel.

Detailed information on additional services will be available on the TransLink website on Friday, 13 February.

Media contact: 3237 1944