Opposition condemned for encouraging proposed rail union strike

27/7/95

Transport Minister Eric Charlton has condemned the actions of two State Labor MPs for encouraging rail union members to disrupt the public transport system through strike action next week.

The Australian Services Union plans to bring passenger and freight trains to a halt next Thursday in response to Westrail's use of private security guards.

Mr Charlton said Opposition MPs Alannah MacTiernan and Yvonne Henderson attended Tuesday's union meeting, where Mrs MacTiernan incited workers to take industrial action as the only way to extract concessions from the Government.

"It is obvious the Opposition supports the union executive's attempt to wrest control of Westrail security operations to serve its own needs," he said.

"Mrs MacTiernan's actions will be condemned by all commuters denied their regular suburban rail services next week.  Mrs MacTiernan and Mrs Henderson have thrown their support behind the Australian Services Union as it pursues its own agenda and  places the travelling public at risk.

"The fruitless industrial campaign arises from the union demanding working conditions Westrail believes are uncompetitive and inflexible and would deny all rail users the protection they demand."

Mr Charlton said Westrail and the ASU had been negotiating conditions for the extra officers for more than nine months when the union opted for Federal award cover and placed their claim outside any reasonable cost to Westrail.

"My paramount concern is for the safety and comfort of the travelling public and the act by Westrail security guards to withdraw their services on the last trains at night is nothing short of callous and uncaring," he said.

"It demonstrated the ASU were quite prepared to put passengers in danger.  This will not be allowed to happen and Westrail had opted to engage private sector security guards to bolster public safety and confidence whenever they used the trains.

"The public has a right to demand and receive a safe and reliable rail transport system which Westrail was in the process of further improving with the addition of another 99 security officers. That protection and safety will now come from the private sector."

Mr Charlton said Westrail had decided not to go any further with the recruiting plan and had his total support in calling tenders from the private sector to provide a high level of security on its trains.

"It is reassuring that Westrail is extremely pleased with the results from the use of the private sector guards during the present industrial campaign.

"Westrail needs a flexible security workforce to provide public safety at any hour and on any day the trains are operating and not when the ASU dictates."

Media contact:  Ian Hasleby 321 7333