Liam Mitchell, Sydney
As train commuters struggle to get to work on time and home by a reasonable hour due to an unreliable, understaffed railway system, RailCorp management and the NSW Labor government continue to blame rail workers for the chaos.
During the 2000 Olympic games, the trains ran on time and had enough drivers to fill rosters. But in February 2004, it became obvious that there were not enough drivers to maintain the roster and hundreds of services per day were cut. The crisis continued all year, and weekday services were made more reliable by a drastic cutting of around 1000 weekend services.
When RailCorp CEO Vince Graham blamed drivers for delays in early November and was backed up by NSW transport minister and former union boss Michael Costa, all hell broke loose. A one-day strike by rail workers has been threatened for some time after year 12 school exams are finished and an offer for a wage increase was turned down in favour of repairing the rail system.
The government offered a 12% rise over three years with a one-off $1500 bonus not to strike, coupled with an extra 7% for changes to the maximum driving time allowed per shift. The Rail, Tram and Bus Union is asking for a 25% wage rise and measures to fix the problems with the rail system.
The RTBU has also asked for an apology from Graham (who recently received a $15,000 wage rise) and an admission that the crisis is due to RailCorp's refusal to properly staff maintenance positions. It is also seeking a commitment from the government to maintain or increase staffing levels until the rail system is functioning properly again. The state government has been cutting staff from the railways steadily since 2000 and plans a further reduction of station staff.
According to the union, rail workers are prepared to strike and forego a day's wages to push for a solution that will fix the rail system for both the workers and commuters.
Meanwhile, public anger is growing against the state government. NSW Labor MPs reported to ALP caucus that they are feeling the heat from their electorates and fear the issue could cost many of them their seats at the next election and possibly even cause the party to lose government. Costa responded angrily, claiming he was doing the best he could.
NSW Premier Bob Carr has tried to limit public support for drivers, telling commuters that it is the drivers who are disrupting their travel by threatening to strike. NSW Liberal leader John Brogden called on the government to introduce a state of emergency if the drivers strike.
Unions have also taken up a rail commuter's suggestion for a fare-boycott day on November 22.
From Green Left Weekly, November 17, 2004.
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