Rail, Tram and Bus Union Industrial Action

Hansard ID: HANSARD-1323879322-149746

Hansard session: Fifty-Eighth Parliament, First Session (58-1)

Rail, Tram and Bus Union Industrial Action

Mr MARK COURE (Oatley) (12:37:30):

My question is directed to the Premier. Since high rates of sick leave for train guards and drivers were determined not to be industrial action by the Fair Work Commission, will unexplained absences result in disciplinary action?

Mr CHRIS MINNS (KogarahPremier) (12:37:54):

— Under the enterprise bargaining agreement and the industrial rules—negotiated not by us but by the previous Government—anyone who does not turn up for work must supply a doctor's certificate. That is the rule for the railways as well. As a result of this Government's section 471 notices, an individual in the union may withdraw from work if we say that we will not pay them for partial work. The Government made that decision in the interest of resolving the dispute. Frankly, Government members do not believe it is sustainable for individual workers to be paid to take industrial action. We do not do that for nurses, teachers or corrections officers. Although the rail unions are in the Federal system—among the few corporations in the Federal system that are covered as New South Wales employees—we believe the same rules should apply.

We have made a decision to go to the Fair Work Commission, and we are hoping for relief within 24 hours. At each step along this road, the Government has acted in the interests of commuters and taxpayers in New South Wales. I have listened to advice, including legal advice. Along with the Minister for Industrial Relations, the former Minister for Transport, the Minister for Transport, and the Treasurer, I made a decision to take the shortest distance between where we are today and resolving the dispute, except for giving in to what I regard as unrealistic demands from the union.

The SPEAKER:

Order! Members will conduct themselves appropriately in the Chamber.