Geelong’s long-suffering rail commuters are set to be hit again with V/Line staff preparing to take industrial action in the lead-up to Christmas.
The Rail, Tram and Bus Union says more than 90 per cent of its members who took part in the ballot voted to implement work bans and stoppages of up to 48 hours, as part of their fight for better pay and conditions.
The union says it will provide as much notice as possible to minimise inconvenience to the traveling public.
V/Line employees say uniform and overtime bans may also be adopted.
RTBU secretary Vik Sharma said staff feel they are not being listened to or respected.
“The RTBU has been bargaining with V/Line for a replacement agreement since June,” he said in a statement issued to media.
“V/Line are aware of the changes required to support the key staff at the front lines of the surge in rail patronage, but it is evident that they are not listening,”
Mr Sharma said higher workloads, job security, staffing levels, cost of living pressures, extra services, new ticketing technologies and rising passenger numbers were among the issues facing his members.
