Union to shut down regional train network again

V/LINE workers will strike again next week after union and company representatives failed to find common ground in enterprise agreement negotiations.

The Rail Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) notified V/Line of its intention to take industrial action on Thursday, January 25.

Operations staff will walk off the job for four hours between 3am and 7am, bringing the network to a halt.

It is expected the strike will have a flow-on-effect impacting all services throughout the day.

RTBU branch secretary Vik Sharma said the industrial action was about security and conditions.

“In the current climate of automation, major changes and an uncertain economy, members are fighting for what all workers across Victoria deserve – job security and decent conditions.

“V/Line continues to drag their feet and seems to be in no rush to reach an agreement.

“The RTBU will continue to meet with V/Line and negotiate in good faith as members would prefer to avoid industrial action if their concerns are addressed.”

The enterprise bargaining began in June, and the union says V/Line has not yet addressed the key concerns raised in negotiations.

The decision to strike was made after RTBU representatives met with V/Line on January 10, where they say no progress was made on key issues.

V/Line chief executive officer Matt Carrick said some progress towards an agreement had been made.

“We have been continuing to negotiate in good faith and have made progress towards reaching an agreement.

“We strongly encourage the union to work collaboratively with us to reach a fair and reasonable agreement.”

The RTBU said in a statement that the entire V/Line network across the state would be impacted by the strike.

“We make no apologies in our fight to secure decent conditions for our members.

“V/Line needs to respect the frontline workers and stop treating them like numbers on a spreadsheet.”

Mr Carrick said passengers could keep up to date with the latest information on the

V/Line website and social media channels.