Safety Back On Track

Three days of "hell" have won Sydney commuters a safer system.

The Rail Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) has secured a Memorandum of Understanding with rail chiefs that for the first time sets correct staffing levels for drivers and guarantees jobs for drivers who fail to meet new health standards.

"We will be working constructively to deal with the real safety issues," says RTBU Secretary Nick Lewocki.

The Memorandum of Understanding sets a commitment to create 124 new positions to address the problem of driver shortages and a commitment by rail bosses to move towards the new staffing levels. In the interim drivers will be offered overtime bonuses.

The agreement also addresses issues around disciplinary processes, depot rostering and improved amenities for drivers.

"Each of the items [in the Memorandum] are what the delegates involved found were important to drivers," says Lewocki. "[It] has worked like a pressure valve. Things aren't perfect, but we'll live with this."

Lewocki slammed the government and RailCorp's handling of the crisis.

"There was a high level of frustration amongst drivers that should never have got to this. This should have been dealt with constructively by sitting down with drivers instead of attacking drivers publicly."

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Last modified: Tuesday, 15-Nov-2005 20:37:35 EST