Aussies unleash over how much train drivers are set to earn if NSW government caves into the union demands
Frustrated commuters have expressed outrage over train driver salary estimates reported by a Sydney radio station following industrial action that disrupted the city’s rail network this week.
Sydney’s rail services faced widespread cancellations and delays on Wednesday and Thursday due to an ongoing pay dispute involving the Electrical Trades Union and the Rail, Tram, and Bus Union. The disruption led to over 1,900 services being cancelled.
The Fair Work Commission suspended a stack of work bans brought by NSW’s train drivers in a bid for payrises, but the interim order only scraps the industrial action until the commission hears the government’s full case on Wednesday.
The orders being sought would thwart the union’s ability to instigate a new set of work bans and force them into arbitration, where the industrial court could dictate the pay rise workers receive.
The government said the industrial action had done ‘significant damage to an important part of the economy’, adding it would produce evidence to that affect at next week’s hearing.
The union, which has been pushing for four annual pay increases of eight per cent, appears unlikely to accept the government’s offer of 15 per cent over four years.
About 75 per cent of NSW’s 13,300 rail workers are union members, mostly with the Rail, Tram and Bus Union.
Radio station 2GB sparked further debate by suggesting that the unions’ demands – a 32 per cent pay rise over four years and a reduction to a 35-hour workweek – would result in train drivers earning hefty salaries.
Estimates shared to 2GB’s Facebook page have riled up rail workers as they argue they’re not asking for that much
Industrial action has left commuters in a lurch as only limited services are available
According to 2GB, the proposed increases would see annual salaries rise from $157,081, including superannuation, in the first year to $198,764 by the fourth year.
Transport for NSW reports that the average salary for a Sydney Trains driver is $128,196, which includes overtime and allowances.
But the RTBU claims the base salary sits at $78,388.
Businessman and expelled NSW Liberal executive member Matthew Camezuli said the union were ‘out of control’.
‘They drive trains. They are not pilots. Surely there are an abundance of people who would be willing and able to drive trains for the current salary. Labor and the Unions are out of control.’
Many Aussies agreed on social media.
‘That is what paramedics, nurses and police officer salaries should look like. Not train drivers,’ one person wrote.
‘It is a joke,’ said another.
‘Wow. sign me up. Easier than labouring job and pays 10 times more,’ a third said.
‘It’s time for driverless trains I guess,’ a forth added.
