Government tries to hoodwink public on train chaos

By Kerri Carr

The Carr Government is trying to introduce a reduced service train timetable and fool the public into believing it's the fault of rail unionists, according to the NSW Rail, Tram and Bus Union.

NSW Rail, Tram and Bus Union Secretary Nick Lewocki said the current rail chaos was the fault of the Carr Government's failure to invest in the rail system.

Since February 9, State Rail train services have been running up to four and six hours late because of a shortage of train drivers refusing to work excessive overtime.

Mr Lewocki said that following the Waterfall Inquiry (an inquiry into the derailment of the 6.24am train from Central to Port Kembla south of Waterfall station in January 2003 which killed seven people), the Government rushed in random drug and alcohol testing and advanced medical testing but "ignored the engineering and design faults identified by the Waterfall Inquiry".

He said the workforce feels they are getting blamed for the accident and as a consequence a number of drivers working excessive amounts of overtime have decided not to work overtime any more.

"The union's position is clear," Mr Lewocki said.

"We support our members who are entitled and obliged to work in accordance with their award provisions. Any attempt to discipline drivers who are merely exercising their award rights will be strenuously opposed by the union."

Mr Lewocki said driver shortages were the "tip of the iceberg" when it came to the "real crisis" on the railways.

He said there are 94 vacancies for signallers which means the existing signallers are working excessive overtime.

"If they just claimed their award [and didn't work overtime] the trains would come to a standstill," Mr Lewocki said.

There are also 240 vacancies on City Rail stations.

"They won't be filled, the Government will try and cut the positions," he said.

"It's a major rationalisation and they're trying to fool the public."

Mr Lewocki said the Government would use the current rail chaos to reduce weekend services and try to introduce a new timetable rejected by the public last year, which reduces and slows down services.

He said the Government's campaign against workers was "an attempt to cover up for the failures of the last 18 months to recruit drivers and other frontline staff".

"The real problem here is the failure of management to plan for the needs of the system despite the warnings issued by union members over some time that there was an acute shortage of staff to run the system properly," he said.

"Lack of investment in capital equipment, and lack of investment in recruiting and training staff is the real cause of the current chaos." "This crisis is affecting the whole of the workforce.

"In every area staff shortages have ballooned as recruitment has proceeded and then been withdrawn."

"I tell my members we are not fighting an industrial campaign, but economic rationalism," Mr Lewocki said.

Mr Lewocki said Transport Minister Michael Costa is "overlaying an economic blueprint, not one about service."

The NSW Rail, Tram and Bus Union distributed 100,000 postcards outlining the "real causes of the chaos" to the public at railway stations on February 12.

If you are able to assist in distributing union material or want to be part of the campaign committee, contact Phillip Kessey or Alex Claassens on (02) 9264 2511.

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February 2004 contents