Freight train workers are demanding a 31% wage increase over three years in a pay dispute that disrupted Tasmania’s rail network today.
Members of the Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union (CEPU) and the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) walked off the job at TasRail’s East Tamar Junction in Launceston this morning.
TasRail CEO Steven Dietrich said the unions had tabled the wage claim last week in response to the state-owned company’s offer made in October.
“This is clearly not affordable for our business, so we have some work to do over the coming weeks to try and reach an acceptable agreement,” he said.
Dietrich said negotiations had been productive over several months but both sides remained “some distance apart on the headline wage offer”.
The current enterprise agreements expired on November 12.
He said TasRail had put forward a package “in good faith” that balanced what the business could sustainably afford with what was fair and reasonable for employees.
Dietrich said he was disappointed by the industrial action, adding the company needed to remain financially viable to continue delivering rail services.
CEPU state organiser Amanda Coleman rejected suggestions TasRail had bargained in good faith.
“The escalation of protected action is a clear message to the TasRail board and CEO,” she said.
“Our members will not accept substandard conditions and pay.”
“If TasRail wants to keep its freight network running, it needs to come back to the table with a fair offer.”
RTBU state secretary Mark Dunsby said workers had shown “incredible patience” during nine months of bargaining.
Both unions warned TasRail risked long-term damage if it failed to address what they described as an “attraction and retention crisis”.
Today’s stoppage is the second in as many weeks, with earlier action forcing the cancellation of cement and ore train services.
Further negotiations are scheduled for next week.
