Metro Trains Sydney (MTS) Urgent Legal Advice Update

Bulletin 21/19 –

The RTBU has sent urgent correspondence to Sydney Metro regarding its threats to terminate members’ employment if they refuse to sign new contracts of employment moving them onto the inferior Sydney Metro Automated Passenger Transport Services Agreement 2018. In the RTBU’s view, these threats are unlawful under the Fair Work Act and no member should be forced into any contract under any circumstances.

Late yesterday, the RTBU wrote to Sydney Metro demanding an immediate undertaking that it would not impose the deadline of 6 March 2019 to sign the contracts. The RTBU has given Sydney Metro until 4pm today to respond to this demand.

The RTBU has received legal advice that there is ambiguity around whether or not the agreement covers operational staff at Sydney Metro. We will continue to look into this, consider our legal options and keep members updated as this strategy is developed.

The RTBU is of the view that the agreement made between Professional Australia and Sydney Metro does not meet the standards of rail agreements in NSW or elsewhere in Australia. Members deserve better and the fight for fair and reasonable conditions continues. At this stage the RTBU continues to advise members not to sign new contracts of employment that would place them on the inferior Sydney Metro agreement.

Issued and Authorised by:

Alex Claassens

Branch Secretary