Tram travellers suffer because “deal not good enough”

Today’s Herald-Sun reports on the tram pay deal that rail union officials are refusing to accept.

Yarra Trams are offering a 13 per cent pay rise over three years, plus increases in maternity leave, carers’ leave and bereavement leave, plus new trauma and family violence leave and more flexible annual leave.

Yet the union bosses are still saying “no” and inflicting yet more disruption on tram travellers.

Unfortunately, when a strong stand is needed on this, our Premier has gone missing again. It’s not good enough for him just to mumble that these strikes shouldn’t be happening. The Premier of our state should be out there saying loud and strong that the demands are outrageous and must be dropped.

However, it’s clear that the union leaders who helped get Labor elected are demanding their pay-offs from Labor MPs, meaning the government can’t or won’t stand up effectively against them.

To read the Herald Sun’s report, see Melbourne tram strike: Public transport services to halt for fifth time in two weeks.