Next week’s train strikes off, but at what price?
Next week’s train strikes and bans have been called off – but at what price to commuters and taxpayers?
Train drivers and other staff have won massive pay rises, but we still don’t know if the rail union has agreed to enough changes to let Metro properly modernise our rail system.
Today’s Herald Sun reports that train drivers have won even bigger pay rises than tram drivers – 17% over just three years, meaning an average train driver will be paid $143,600 and station staff will be paid $98,797.
Metro will bear this extra cost to start with, but in the end Victorian commuters and/or taxpayers will have to pay for it in higher transport fares or higher subsidies to rail operators. As well, public unions will want similar huge pay rises for their members, with more cost to taxpayers.
As with Yarra Trams, it’s easy for Transport Minister Jacinta Allan to buy short term peace by getting the operator to agree to big pay rises.
However, unlike Yarra Trams, the Metro dispute is not just about money. It’s also about whether the union will allow work practice changes such as allowing Melbourne’s train lines to run independently of one another, so as to bring our rail system into the 21st century.
We’re told the parties will be negotiating the final terms of the deal next week. Let’s hope at least Metro are allowed to run our system properly in exchange for these enormous pay rises.
For the Herald Sun’s report, see Melbourne Grand Final week train strikes off as Metro, union reach deal. For The Age’s report, see Melbourne train strike averted as Metro and union reach agreement.