Freight Rail, Passenger Rail, Workforce, Certification & Training

More strikes loom as ARTC puts deal to vote

Freight rail track - stock - credit Shutterstock (8)

The ARTC has warned of further disruptions on the NSW intercity freight and passenger network, after unions notified it of “indefinite” industrial action plans.

A vote – conducted by the ARTC – is being held on Thursday, August 11, for the employer’s current version of the next NSW Enterprise Agreement, but the Rail Tram and Bus Union has told its members to vote no to the deal.

The news of more strike action comes after a meeting between the ARTC and the unions – led by the RTBU – was cancelled after the ARTC claimed disruptions took place on its network despite an agreement from the union that action would not take place.

The RTBU said it told members not to take action as it had agreed to meet with the ARTC in the Hunter.

But after the ARTC said action did take place, the meeting was cancelled.

RTBU NSW branch secretary Alex Claassens accused the ARTC of reneging on the commitment to meet, saying the unions had withdrawn the workplace stoppages.

“We were shocked and dismayed when the ARTC contacted us after 4pm Monday afternoon, after we had cancelled that day’s stoppages, to tell us the meeting had been called off after telling their own staff via internal email that our meeting would go ahead,” the union boss said.

“We are deeply disappointed that the ARTC has behaved in such an underhanded and distrustful manner.

“It begs the question, who is really running the ARTC?”

ARTC boss John Fullerton said he was disappointed the unions had decided to continue their campaign.

“In an environment where our customers are shedding staff or freezing wages, we believe we have put a fair offer forward,” Fullerton said on Wednesday, August 10.

“What is not fair is the elderly, families, workers and businesses continue to be impacted as a result of this dispute.

“A 2% pay increase per year, over three years and no loss of conditions is fair and reasonable.”