WA commuters could face ‘major disruption’ as Transperth train drivers consider taking strike action

Train drivers are considering taking strike action that would significantly disrupt Perth’s public transport network amid a workforce exodus to WA’s lucrative mining sector. The Rail, Tram and Bus Union will this week survey its members to gauge interest in walking off the job as part of a public sector rally over pay at Parliament on August 17. The union said more than 30 train drivers had quit Transperth since January and warned of a driver shortage if the McGowan Government refuses to significantly improve its 2.75 per cent wage rise offer. Most had switched to the mining industry, where they could earn up to $230,000 a year in the Pilbara compared to the $95,000 that drivers are typically paid in Perth. It has become such a trend that drivers now jokingly refer to the Public Transport Authority — PTA — as the Pilbara Training Academy. The current agreement expires in March next year and bargaining had been slated to begin in September, but RTBU Secretary Josh Dekuyer said “major disruption” to commuters could be avoided if the Government came to the negotiating table. In addition to a pay hike of at least five per cent, the union wants plans to install audio and video surveillance systems in the driver’s compartment scrapped, citing privacy reasons. Mr Dekuyer said the number of PTA railcar drivers had dropped from 365 to about 320 in just 12 months, with pay the biggest reason behind the wave of resignations. “Transperth train drivers are the lowest paid drivers in the country,” he said. “And it’s not just drivers, we also have customer service staff, network and infrastructure workers, transit officers and other public transport employees who have laboured under the State Government wage cap for more than five years, which makes working at the PTA not very attractive. “Meanwhile the cost of living has skyrocketed, and the State recorded a healthy surplus. It just doesn’t add up and will only get worse unless acted upon soon.” Transport Minister Rita Saffioti’s office said despite the resignations, the PTA had sufficient drivers to operate the rail network, with 15 recruits starting their 27-week training program last week. “Recruitment of train drivers into the resources sector is an ongoing challenge, which is why the Government has been working with the industry to expand driver training programs within the private sector,” Ms Saffioti’s spokesman said. Inflation numbers to be released on Wednesday were expected to show inflation rising at the fastest pace in more than three decades. Economists predicted the June quarter figures would show the national Consumer Price Index increasing by 1.9 per cent, bringing the annual inflation rate to a 32-year high of 6.3 per cent. Confirmation of the soaring cost of living would be seized on by the public sector alliance of unions fighting to break the McGowan Government’s policy to cap wage rises at 2.75 per cent.