By Anthony Benbow
PERTH — Passenger and freight rail services came to a halt on April 15 as train control and support staff covered by the Australian Services Union (ASU) walked off the job for 24 hours.
The action was triggered by the state Liberal government's drive to restructure Westrail, WA's railway authority. Despite establishment media hype about commuter chaos, few people were inconvenienced; Westrail put its losses for the day at around $5 million.
ASU members voted to strike because Westrail has pushed ahead with individual contracts while supposedly "negotiating" on a new federal award.
Westrail claimed that it was free to pursue both avenues, because contracts are now "part of the system". However, as ASU industrial officer Tony Fiorentino pointed out, individual contracts remove people from award coverage and protection. Some staff could lose $100 per week on individual contracts.
After almost a year of negotiations over the federal award, Westrail's agenda is still the same: use whatever techniques to force staff cuts and reductions in pay and conditions. This is the thrust of the government's ironically titled Right Track program to restructure WA's railways.
ASU members in Westrail are discussing further action. For more information phone the ASU (WA branch) on 227 8700.