QR Citytrain/Traveltrain strike 16th Feb / 18th Feb ? ?

[ozbob]

Media Release 13 Feb 2009

SEQ:  If QR industrial action occurs next week, make public transport free Monday and Wednesday

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport users has called for public transport on the TransLink network to be free on Monday and Wednesday should industrial action disrupt the Citytrain network.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"We earnestly hope that even at this late stage a compromise can be reached by QR and the rail unions."

"However, the  promised transport chaos on Monday and Wednesday of next week will make it very difficult for bus and ferry operators to cope.  RAIL Back On Track calls for free travel for Monday and Wednesday.  There will be many delays and gridlock, and it is unreasonable to expect people to pay for a struggling service.  If people are forced to pay for fares it will only add to the delays and confusion on the buses and ferries.

"Anyone who holds a seasonal ticket such as a current weekly or monthly should be offered an expiry extension of up to two days as well."

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Strike still going ahead as QR, unions battle it out

Strike still going ahead as QR, unions battle it out
Tony Moore | February 13, 2009 - 10:28AM

Queensland Rail (QR) and the unions have agreed in principle to enter conciliation to stave off next week's potentially crippling train strikes.

QR took the matter to the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC) late on Wednesday after the break down of talks over wage increases and work conditions with the Rail Tram and Bus Union and the Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Employees.

At this stage, it is understood that Monday's strike will go ahead. A decision from AIRC deputy president Peter Richards is expected later today.

Chris Murdoch from Queensland Rail told this morning's hearing that 100,000 customers would be affected on Monday, including 10,000 school students.

He argued that the unions' protected action should be suspended because of the serious impact on the community.

Additional buses have been secured in the event of the strike, but they could only service a fraction of QR customers' needs, he said.

He also raised concerns about how disabled people would get to work.

Scott Butler, manager of Queensland Rail's customer service fleet, told the hearing there were no rail services running on Monday.

Rail, Bus and Tram Union solicitor Terri Butler questioned Mr Butler about how many of the 100,000 would actually travel into work.

Mr Butler could not give an exact figure, but said the 10,000 studnents was an accurate figure drawn from a 2008 Queensland Rail passenger survey.

Both parties have indicated they are willing to enter conciliation, although no decision has been reached at this stage.

In a statement issued this morning, RTBU secretary Owen Doogan outlined the unions' position: "While I personally can't speak for the AFULE (Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Employees), I have been advised this morning by that union that if QR agrees to participate in the proposed conciliation, they have agreed to call off their strike action planned for Monday."

Queensland Transport has called on the unions to stand by the rulings made by the AIRC.

A spokesman for Transport Minister John Mickel said Queensland Rail would be bound by the outcome of the any ruling or agreement.

"There has not been a simular committment from the unions.

"You can't have conciliation when there is the threat of strike action."

Yesterday, the AFULE's Greg Smith said it would be "very unlikely" that the commission would halt the strikes.

"We have followed the letter of the law, fully complied with the legislation set out in WorkChoices."

[ozbob]

From Brisbanetimes click here!

Train strike will 'leave 57,000 stranded'

Train strike will 'leave 57,000 stranded'
Tony Moore | February 13, 2009 - 1:15PM

Queensland Rail (QR) believes it can only shift around 8000 of the 65,000 commuters on Monday who normally use trains to get to work.

The Government has secured extra charter buses to ferry additional passengers on bus and train routes into Brisbane.

Senior QR planner Ross Jenkins told a hearing at the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC) this morning that there will not be enough buses to get people to work.

He said the 130 extra buses are "not the silver bullet that everyone is thinking they are".

An extra 80 to 100 buses have also been arranged for Wednesday, when further industrial action is planned.

Mr Jenkins said he had planned for some bus services to run 10 trips a day, but agreed with Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) industrial officer Terri Butler that he could not guarantee this would happen due to increased congestion on roads.

"Not all the 130 buses are going to do 10 trips," he said.

Under questioning from Ms Butler, Mr Jenkins said he could not estimate how many commuters will try to get to work on Monday, but said the extra buses would be insufficient.

"It looks as if 57,000 (commuters) are going to have to find alternative transport," Mr Jenkins said.

"Unless we pull them (buses) in from all over Australia, I don't think that this (bus) fleet is big enough to carry all these loads."

Mr Jenkins admitted he would likely stay home on Monday if the strike goes ahead.

Queensland Rail and two rail employee unions are still giving evidence in the AIRC before senior deputy president Peter Richards.

QR want the unions to remove the threat of strikes before it will agree to beginning peace talks next week at the AIRC over wage increases and working conditions.

The RTBU and the Australian Federation of Locomotive Engineers argued that QR cannot accurately predict how the strike action will hurt commuters.

Ms Butler said QR could run a limited rail service, using staff who did not take strike action.

She also questioned QR's disability services adviser, Jodie Holloway, about the impact on the 680 people with disabilities that QR said will be affected if Monday's strike goes ahead.

Mr Holloway said he gathered the information from a number of community organisations, including the Montrose Home at Corinda, the Endeavour Foundation and the Queensland Association for the Blind.

Queensland Rail argued the strikes should not classed as "protected" action because of the impact on the community.

[ozbob]

Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
13/02/2009

QR's Traveltrain services affected by rail strikes

QR's Traveltrain services which operate between Brisbane and regional centres will be affected if the planned industrial action goes ahead next week.

Rail unions have notified QR of 24-hour stoppages planned for next Monday, 16 February and Wednesday, 18 February, which will affect south-east Queensland's Citytrain network and Traveltrain services.

Minister Mickel said unions had given QR little option but to cancel Traveltrain services departing next Monday and Wednesday.

"For Traveltrain services due to depart next Monday and Wednesday, we have arranged replacement coaches to transport passengers to their destinations," Mr Mickel said.

"The exceptions are the Cairns Tilt Train services due to depart Brisbane on Monday and Cairns on Wednesday which have been cancelled and currently do not have bus replacement services.

"I am advised that QR Passenger is still investigating the possibility of running coaches in place of the Cairns Tilt Train service and will advise customers as soon as further information comes to hand.

"The Westlander service due to depart Charleville on Wednesday, 18 February will not be affected and will run as scheduled to Brisbane.

"Trains due to depart their origin on any other day should not be affected and should run through to destinations as scheduled. These services will continue to operate even if they are in transit while strike action is occurring."

Mr Mickel said QR Passenger was extremely disappointed it could not provide these Traveltrain services to passengers.

"We sincerely apologise to all customers who may be affected by these strikes," he said.

Passengers who choose not to travel on the Traveltrain services replaced by coaches or are affected by cancelled services will be offered a full refund of their ticket or bookings on alternative Traveltrain services.

QR's Customer Contact Centres are currently attempting to contact all passengers on affected services to discuss service options.

Passengers requiring assistance or additional information can contact QR Traveltrain on 1300 131 722 or visit www.traveltrain.com.au

Media contact: 3237 1944

13 February 2009

To see service delays click here!

==============================================================

[stephenk]

Going by the Citytrain website it looks like the strikes have been called off for the time being.

[ozbob]

Yes, announcement on the train this afternoon that the planned industrial action next week has been averted.

Negotiations to proceed next week.

Thanks to all parties.

[ozbob]

From Brisbanetimes click here!

Train strikes cancelled as talks to resume

Train strikes cancelled as talks to resume
Tony Moore | February 13, 2009 - 5:15PM

Two train strikes over work and pay conditions planned for next week have been called off.

The unions agreed to abandon the industrial action following talks with Queensland Rail (QR) this afternoon.

Talks between QR and the unions will continue on Monday, however all industrial action appears to be called off for now.

Earlier today, the parties took their claims before the Australian Industrial Relations Commission.

Greg Smith, secretary of the Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Employees, said the parties would meet on Monday to discuss a new agreement.

"It is correct that the strike action has been withdrawn for next Monday and next Wednesday ... The commissioner of Queensland Rail asked for an adjournment for private talks to be held. I was in those private talks and what has rolled out is that we will now sit down next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday to develop an agreement based around the 18 Sundays."

The dispute between the AFULE, the Rail, Tram and Bus Union and QR was over pay increases and weekend work requirements for train drivers.

QR originally wanted train drivers to work 26 Sundays a year.

The cancellation of the strike will be welcome news to 170,000 rail passengers who would have been affected by the stop work.

AFULE state secretary Greg Smith said the option of future rail strikes remained open.

"If we don't get a deal up by close of business on Wednesday, then our options will be open to again put in a notice for five days (before protected strike action)," he said.

"We will be in the same position we are in now."

The big shift in talks was Queensland Rail dropping their claim for drivers to work 26 Sunday a year, eight more than the current roster of 18 Sundays, Mr Smith said.

"And now that we have Queensland Rail dropping their claim for working 26 Sundays, that is a huge impediment out of the way," he said.

"Hopefully we can go ahead with a completely new agreement."

Talks will take place before Queensland's Industrial Relations Commissioner next Monday through to Wednesday.

Parties will try to set out a new collective agreement between Queensland Rail and its train drivers, Mr Smith said.

"It won't be a rollover of the current agreement, it will be anew agreement," he said.

[ozbob]

Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
13/02/2009

Talks Produce Breakthrough in Rail Dispute

Transport Minister John Mickel has welcomed the withdrawal late today of threatened strike action by rail unions next week.

"This is undeniably good news for the travelling public. It is the breakthrough that we have been working towards," Mr Mickel said.

"It means that rail services will operate as per normal next Monday and Wednesday.

"I am pleased that people will be able to get to and from work and businesses will be able to operate normally. This is particularly important in these tough economic times.

"We had a Plan B, in terms of contingency arrangements if the strikes went ahead. I am pleased that we now won't have to activate it."

The Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Employees, the Rail, Tram and Bus Union and QR will return to the negotiating table next week to talk through outstanding issues with the proposed traincrew agreement.

The parties have set aside three days from Monday to Wednesday next week for the discussions.

These discussions will be facilitated independently by a commissioner from the Australian Industrial Relations Commission.

Mr Mickel said he hoped the talks planned for next week would provide a platform for the resolution of the dispute.

==============================================================

[ozbob]

From the Brisbane mX 13th February 2009 page 1

Strike fare go



Thanks Mr Mickel for directing free travel on the buses and ferries had the strike action eventuated.

Our reasons for calling for this were that the most if not all bus routes would have been carrying increased commuters.  To speed up the loading and unloading no ticketing would help a lot. 

Many people would be delayed for some time and under these circumstances it is reasonable to make the transport free.

There is also the issue that a lot of the buses that were to be used on limited rail substitution don't have the go card and ticketing equipment.  So it is sensible that the Minister did direct that free travel would be the go if the strike actions did take place.

[ozbob]

Media Release 14 Feb 2009

SEQ:  Public transport commuters relieved

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport users has welcomed the news that the planned industrial action on the QR Citytrain network for the coming week will now not proceed.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"It is a great relief to many commuters to know that QR Citytrains will be running next week.  Thanks to all parties for agreeing to further negotiations.  Clearly it would have been a major disruption if the action had occurred."

"The advanced planning details that were made public by TransLink and QR through the Minister for Transport and on the TransLink website, and in the media were well grounded, but there would have been many problems getting around to work, school or appointments despite the planned arrangements."

"Public transport is a key community service, and in time increased service frequency and extended hours of operation will be needed on the network.  QR Passenger must be properly resourced in terms of crew and trains and there needs to be some workplace flexibility to provide for more services.  Train  crew undertake demanding tasks; fair remuneration and conditions of employment are needed to ensure a safe, efficient and sustainable workforce."

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

From the Queensland Times click here!

Strike off track as union agrees to rail workers' weekend terms

Strike off track as union agrees to rail workers' weekend terms

Rob Lockyear | 13th February 2009

TRAIN strikes set to cripple the Ipswich/Rosewood line have been scrapped after a last minute breakthrough between train unions and Queensland Rail yesterday afternoon.

Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) Queensland state secretary Owen Doogan said QR had agreed to enter conciliation without increasing the number of Sundays union members had to work a year so Wednesday's industrial action would not go ahead.

?The RTBU is prepared to suspend its industrial campaign,? Mr Doogan said.

The Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Employees has also called off its strike planned for Monday.

He said the parties would enter conciliation with an independent body on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday to try and come to a resolution.

?If agreement has not been reached by the end of the conciliation all bets are off and the industrial campaign will again be under way,? Mr Doogan said.

RAIL Back on Track spokesman Robert Dow said it was a great result.

?Commuters will be delighted that Citytrain services will be running normally next week,? Mr Dow said.

?We are also hopeful that with further negotiations, a successful outcome for unions and Queensland Rail passengers will be forthcoming.?

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Train strikes cancelled as talks to resume

Train strikes cancelled as talks to resume
Tony Moore | February 14, 2009 - 6:15AM

Two train strikes over work and pay conditions planned for next week have been called off.

The unions agreed to abandon the industrial action following talks with Queensland Rail (QR) yesterday afternoon.

Talks between QR and the unions will continue on Monday, however all industrial action appears to be called off for now.

Earlier today, the parties took their claims before the Australian Industrial Relations Commission.

Greg Smith, secretary of the Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Employees, said the parties would meet on Monday to discuss a new agreement.

"It is correct that the strike action has been withdrawn for next Monday and next Wednesday ... The commissioner of Queensland Rail asked for an adjournment for private talks to be held. I was in those private talks and what has rolled out is that we will now sit down next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday to develop an agreement based around the 18 Sundays."

The dispute between the AFULE, the Rail, Tram and Bus Union and QR was over pay increases and weekend work requirements for train drivers.

QR originally wanted train drivers to work 26 Sundays a year.

The cancellation of the strike will be welcome news to 170,000 rail passengers who would have been affected by the stop work.

AFULE state secretary Greg Smith said the option of future rail strikes remained open.

"If we don't get a deal up by close of business on Wednesday, then our options will be open to again put in a notice for five days (before protected strike action)," he said.

"We will be in the same position we are in now."

The big shift in talks was Queensland Rail dropping their claim for drivers to work 26 Sunday a year, eight more than the current roster of 18 Sundays, Mr Smith said.

"And now that we have Queensland Rail dropping their claim for working 26 Sundays, that is a huge impediment out of the way," he said.

"Hopefully we can go ahead with a completely new agreement."

Talks will take place before Queensland's Industrial Relations Commissioner next Monday through to Wednesday.

Parties will try to set out a new collective agreement between Queensland Rail and its train drivers, Mr Smith said.

"It won't be a rollover of the current agreement, it will be anew agreement," he said.

[ozbob]

Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
16/02/2009

Rail Strikes Called Off

Transport Minister John Mickel has welcomed the withdrawal late Friday afternoon of threatened strike action by rail unions this week.

"This is undeniably good news for the travelling public. It is the breakthrough that we have been working towards," Mr Mickel said.

"It means that rail services will operate as per normal on Monday and Wednesday.

"I am pleased that people will be able to get to and from work and businesses will be able to operate normally. This is particularly important in these tough economic times.

"We had a Plan B, in terms of contingency arrangements if the strikes went ahead. I am pleased that we now won't have to activate it."

The Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Employees, the Rail, Tram and Bus Union and QR will return to the negotiating table next week to talk through outstanding issues with the proposed traincrew agreement.

The parties have set aside three days from Monday to Wednesday this week for the discussions.

These discussions will be facilitated independently by a commissioner from the Australian Industrial Relations Commission.

Mr Mickel said he hoped the talks would provide a platform for the resolution of the dispute.

==============================================================

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Trains running but strike threat still looms

Trains running but strike threat still looms
Andrew Wight | February 16, 2009 - 9:51AM

Rail services in Brisbane ran as usual today but rail unions have not ruled out future strike action, possibly as early as next Wednesday.

Negotiations between the Rail, Tram and Bus Union, the Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Engineers and Queensland Rail - deadlocked for most of last week - appeared to reach a breakthrough late on Friday after QR agreed to scrap a plan to increase Sunday shifts for train drivers, averting two separate strikes today and on Wednesday.

But union heads said the dispute, which landed in the Industrial Relations Commission, was not over and talks would continue today.

"We hope to have an agreement before the close of business Wednesday," AFLUE State Secretary Greg Smith said this morning.

"If we reach that point, we will give the commission another five-day (strike) notice, but it is still too early to tell if that will be needed."

Transport Minister John Mickel said the renewed talks were "good news" for commuters spared crippling delays this morning.

"It is the breakthrough that we have been working towards," he said.

"I am pleased that people will be able to get to and from work and businesses will be able to operate normally, especially in these tough economic times."

Mr Smith said an independent facilitator in the form of an Industrial Relations Commissioner would be appointed sometime today to "focus" future talks.

"After 30 sessions of intense negotiation, in any negotiation, it's useful to have someone to keep the parties on track."

"We are focused on getting a new agreement," he said.

Mr Smith said the next big issue to discuss would be QR's proposal to reduce the number of days off in an eight-week cycle from 19 days to 16.

"There are also pay negotiations and other issues to be resolved," he said.

Train drivers had been set to strike today and Wednesday, which would have halted Traveltrain services along Queensland's east coast and shut down Brisbane's suburban rail network.

[ozbob]

From The Satellite 18th February 2009 page 3

Rail chaos averted as talks under way

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Threat of rail strikes averted

Threat of rail strikes averted
March 5, 2009 - 2:00PM

The threat of train strikes across southeast Queensland has evaporated with the state's rail unions recommending members accept a new agreement with Queensland Rail.

The unions say they're happy there'll be no increase in the number of Sunday shifts, which was one of their main sticking points, and there's been compromise in relation to numbers of days off.

Work on the agreement will start on Monday and the process will take around a fortnight.

It's the last of 20 separate agreements covering 14,000 staff that have been negotiated over the last 14 months.

AAP

[ozbob]

From the Courier Mail click here!

New agreement lifts threat of Brisbane train strikes

New agreement lifts threat of Brisbane train strikes
Article from: AAP

March 05, 2009 03:25pm

THE threat of train strikes in southeast Queensland has evaporated with the state's two rail unions recommending a new agreement to members.
The agreement with Queensland Rail will start being drafted on Monday after nearly a month of conciliation.

Rail Tram and Bus Union state secretary Owen Doogan said he was delighted with the way talks went.

"We'll be recommending the agreement be accepted," Mr Doogan said today.

"I'm delighted there'll be no increase in the number of Sunday shifts crews have to work, which was an essential element for our members.

"There's been some compromise between the unions and management in relation to the numbers of days off, which both parties are happy with."

Mr Doogan said the conciliation brought to an end one of the toughest and most protracted agreement negotiations in recent years.

A summary of the main negotiating points was sent to all members of the RTBU and the Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Employees on Wednesday.

Drafting the agreement will take about a fortnight.

Mr Owen said it was the last of 20 separate agreements covering 14,000 staff, which had been negotiated over the past 14 months.

AFULE secretary Greg Smith said that while the vote was not likely to be held for another four weeks, it was likely the agreement would be accepted.

"We've withdrawn the threat of all industrial action," he said.

"And while there are still queries coming in from members about some aspects of the proposed agreement, my feeling is it should be accepted."

Last month, the unions agreed to conciliation and called off two 24-hour strikes, but held out the possibility the strikes may be brought back on if a suitable deal was not struck.

[brismike]

Since the threatened strikes, which didn't actually go ahead, I have only used the Train to get to work once when it was raining. I now ride a bike to work (Middle Park to the Valley) and am finding it not only cheaper but more fun and it takes about the same time. Thanks Train Drivers for providing the opportunity for me to try something different!