Christmas chaos: V/Line workers vote on December strikes

V/Line trains between Melbourne and Geelong could shut down in the lead up to Christmas if Rail Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) members vote to strike this week.

The RTBU filed documents with the Fair Work Commission (FWC) for V/Line operations staff to take protected industrial action after Enterprise Agreement negations failed to resolve key issues.

A ballot was initiated on November 22, and will continue until Wednesday, November 29.

During this period, conductors, station staff, train drivers, authorised officers, train controllers, and other rail operations staff are voting on whether to take industrial action.

Union Secretary Vik Sharma said the company had not satisfactorily addressed concerns raised by union members and workers have signalled they will not accept an agreement that fails to meet industry standards.

“V/Line is not listening to staff and we are yet to see meaningful commitments on the issues that matter to RTBU members,” Mr Sharma said.

“Job security, increased workloads, cost of living pressures, staffing levels, additional services and delivery of major upgrades, new ticketing technologies and increased patronage are all relevant factors in this bargaining round.”

“V/Line have thus far failed to acknowledge the hard work of the workers who continue to make these services possible.”

V/Line Chief Executive Officer Matt Carrick said the company was seeking a just outcome for workers.

“We will continue to bargain in good faith to reach a fair outcome for our employees,” Mr Carrick said.

“We’re ensuring we provide excellent employment conditions for our workforce and a better service for our passengers.”

“In the event of industrial action, we will work hard to minimise the impacts on passengers.”

A conference is scheduled to take place at the Fair Work Commission today (Friday, 24 November).

The compulsory conference, which must happen before the ballot closes, is a feature of the new legislation that require parties to meet and hopefully find resolution in the process.

Once the ballot results are declared, the union will likely give seven days’ notice of any planned industrial action.

Flagged industrial action includes stoppages for up to 48hours and bans on overtime and uniforms.

“We are focused on targeting V/Line whilst seeking to minimise the impact on the travelling public and as such we are committed to providing sufficient notice for alternative travel plans to be made,” said Mr Sharma.