UNION WIN: Members cease industrial action at Sydney Trains following agreement breakthrough!

On Friday evening, the Combined Rail Unions achieved a win for members at Sydney Trains, with the state government finally signing a deal committing to modifications to a new multibillion-dollar train fleet.

This breakthrough comes following over 500 days of negotiations and campaigning, which has involved PA members taking extensive and repeated forms of industrial action in a high-profile dispute. The deal will now provide a pathway to a new Enterprise Agreement for workers.

The Enterprise Agreement will include a wage policy increase and will provide the Fair Work Commission with the power to determine whether the wages outcome of this agreement should be greater than the NSW Wages Policy. This is a significant achievement and will allow the independent umpire to decide whether an amount above the wages policy should be awarded.

Although a small number of items are still being resolved, the Enterprise Agreement is now expected to go to a vote.

What members achieved:

Pay

• Minimum pay increase of 2.54% backdated to May 22.
• Minimum pay increase of 3.04% on May 23.
• A $4500 sign on bonus.

Conditions

• 20 days family and domestic violence leave and new best practice supporting clause;
• Support for engineering and engineering registration - including the payment of registration fees and a 1.5% general purpose loading for some positions;
• Introduction of Electrical Safety Rules Allowance;
• Improved living away from home allowance;
•  Job security improvements.

You can see our provisional list of achievements here.

All members are to be congratulated on pushing through and staying united to achieve this great outcome.

Professionals Australia will continue to provide further details as the agreement takes shape, but are confident we will be endorsing a yes vote on the proposal.