TRAIN drivers have rejected a 14 per cent pay rise because they were not satisfied with proposed changes to rostering as part of an Enterprise Bargaining Agreement being negotiated with the Perth Transit Authority.
Australian Rail, Tram and Bus Industry Union industrial officer Phillip Woodcock said members voted against the EBA, an agreement worth about 14 per cent over three years that was linked to changes to rostering agreements, at a stop work meeting on Sunday.
“Drivers entered into negotiations to replace the current award and see what could be achieved for the membership, but they did not wish to accept the offer and will remain on the award provisions currently in place,” he said.
“The offer was rejected on the basis of the rostering flexibility that would be gained by the PTA, such as being able to change rosters at short notice.”
Mr Woodcock said about 130 union members attended the meeting and a clear majority rejected the deal.
EBA negotiations have now finished and there would be no further meetings.
“I am currently in the process of advising the commission based on that decision that the drivers remain on the award,” Mr Woodcock said.
“There really is nowhere to go from here, as the members wish to remain on the award and I am obliged by their decision to carry out their wishes.”