Strike stops trains as more action tipped
Adelaide passenger trains won’t run again until later this afternoon due to a four hour strike as drivers ramp up a pay dispute, with two more strikes flagged if no progress is made.
Adelaide trains won't run between 4pm and 6pm on Wednesday due to a drivers' strike. Photo: Tony Lewis/InDaily
Metropolitan train services were affected from 9am today ahead of the strike beginning at 10am, as Rail Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) train driver members took action against private operator Keolis Downer curdle.
The strike continues until 2pm but services could be impacted until 3pm as trains came back on line.
The Transport Department also said there could be “additional action” next week, with the union flagging train strikes from 6am to 8am next Tuesday April 16, and from 4pm to 6pm on Wednesday, April 17.
“Those are during our peak periods, so certainly we’re not involved in the negotiations, but we’re certainly encouraging those two parties to stay at the table and to reach an agreement as quickly as possible,” a spokesperson said this morning.
Adelaide Metro said a small number of substitute bus services would run every 30 or 60 minutes near train lines during today’s strike.
“This action is out of our control but we certainly apologise to our customers for it,” the spokesperson said.
The union said it had initially planned low-level industrial action including bans on workers checking tickets and reporting graffiti, but the strike was called after the operator threatened legal action.
RTBU SA/NT secretary Darren Phillips said it was extraordinary Keolis Downer chose to escalate the enterprise agreement dispute in that way.
“It is clear … that Keolis Downer does not care about the service it provides to the people of South Australia,” he said.
About 40,000 passengers use Adelaide’s rail network each day, but as the strike is happening during school holidays and outside peak periods, disruption today is expected to be relatively low.
In a statement, Keolis Downer apologised to passengers for inconvenience caused, maintaining it continued to negotiate with the RTBU in good faith.
The union is demanding a 20 per cent pay rise over four years, while Keolis Downer is offering 14.7 per cent increase over the same period.
“South Australian rail workers have received below-inflation pay rises for a number of years, and as such they have borne the brunt of the cost-of-living crisis,” Phillips said.
A government spokesperson said it wanted to see both sides resolve the matter quickly.
“These services will be back in public hands next year at which point the government will have an active role in future pay negotiations,” the spokesperson said.
– with AAP
