‘Greedy’: Tram and train drivers’ pay past

Listen: Neil Mitchell crunches the numbers with Lauren Hilbert

It’s been revealed tram and train drivers have received pay rises of nearly 30 per cent in the past six years, as strikes continue.

STRIKE THREE: More stop-works today

Train and tram drivers have negotiated two new EBAs since 2009.

The 2009 agreement saw pay increase by 15 per cent over three years, which includes 2 per cent bonus payments.

Meanwhile, the three-year deals were for 13 per cent in 2012.

That’s a 28 per cent wage rise over six years.

In comparison, inflation has increased by only 13.6 percent during that time.

Private sector wage growth in the past year was just 2.2 percent.

Tram drivers are on strike today after being offered 13 per cent over three years.

The train drivers’ offer is roughly 17 per cent over four years.

Neil Mitchell: After several years of generous agreements, is this a bit greedy of the RTBU?
Melbourne Lord Mayor Robert Doyle: Oh, absolutely!

Yarra Trams CEO Clement Michel said the 28 per cent increase over the last few years was generous.

‘We are sharing the profits of Yarra Trams with the community of Melbourne, with the staff,’ he said.

‘That was a fair deal, the profit was shared but also we’ve created 200 jobs over the last few years.

‘Not many industries are in a development like that.’

Mr Michel said they were eager to get back to the negotiating table, but it was up to the union whether more strike action would go ahead.

‘This is the offer that is on the table, we are ready to carry on the conversation for the time it needs to happen,’ he said.