Article: Sandringham train line reopens after wildcat action, Connex furious

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From the Herald Sun click here!

Sandringham train line reopens after wildcat action, Connex furious

Sandringham train line reopens after wildcat action, Connex furious
Article from: Herald Sun

Ashley Gardiner

February 18, 2009 03:41pm

WILDCAT industrial action forced a train line to be closed on Wednesday, stranding thousands of angry commuters.

Services on the Sandringham line were cancelled from 9am after a fault was detected on a train.

Instead of being fixed, the train sat idle at Richmond station for eight hours.

The Herald Sun believes the train driver reported the fault to his supervisor instead of train controllers, contrary to Connex policy, which created a standoff between the operator and the union.

The dispute is a further blow for the company's diminishing chances of retaining the train contract, which is up for renewal.

Public Transport Minister Lynne Kosky sent in a negotiating team and the dispute was resolved just after 5pm.

"This outrageous behaviour means commuters are being made to suffer because of a disagreement between factions of the union and Connex," Ms Kosky said.

Connex spokesman John Rees said the train was moved from Richmond about 5.30pm. "It has become apparent that the incident is directly related to a much wider industrial relations situation," he said.

Connex has been in talks with the Rail, Tram and Bus Union's locomotive division for months.

?We have been discussing (this) extensively with the (union) over a significant period of time,? Mr Rees said.

"Unfortunately, despite all our efforts these discussions have not led to a satisfactory resolution," Mr Rees said. "We deeply regret the inconvenience to our customers."

Passengers were forced on to trams along St Kilda Rd and shuttle buses from Caulfield station.

There was speculation last night the union could split over the issue. Connex last night took the row to the Australian Industrial Relations Commission.

The latest outbreak of industrial action follows claims by Connex ? first reported by the Herald Sun on January 21 ? that some union members were engaged in a campaign of aggressive and over-zealous fault-finding.

Connex has taken the matter to the Australian Industrial Relations Commission.

?We deeply regret the inconvenience to our customers as services now return to normal following.?
Connex updates: Check if your train is running

Connex was forced to tell passengers for Prahran, Winsdor, Balaclava and Ripponlea to catch trams from St Kilda Rd.

Passengers for stations from Elsternwick and beyond were told to catch Cranbourne, Frankston or Pakenham line trains to Caulfield for a connecting bus.

Limited train services operated between Elsternwick and Sandringham.

Michael Wilson, of Windsor, was forced to catch a tram.

?I?ll have to get a tram now which will be crowded,? Mr Wilson said.

?I hate catching trains anyway, and this makes it worse.

?This is a disgrace. This is an absolute disgrace. I just want to go home, go to the gym and relax.?