More strikes threaten to cripple Victoria

Industrial action by train and tram workers, cabbies, cops and staff at the state's beer breweries could tarnish Victoria and disrupt the AFL finals.

A tram rejoins the network on Mount Alexander Road in Melbourne

The head of Public Transport Victoria has resigned as tram staff prepare further strikes. (AAP)

The head of Victoria's public transport authority has resigned as tram staff prepare to walk off the job amid further threats of industrial action by disgruntled taxi drivers, police and staff at the state's beer breweries.

Industrial action across the state is reaching a critical point, the opposition says.

"We've got train strikes, tram strikes, cab strikes, beer strikes - we are becoming Victoria the state of strikes," Victorian Liberal leader Matthew Guy said on Wednesday.

Public Transport Victoria chief executive Mark Wild is standing aside to begin a new position as special transport advisor with the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources.

Former VicRoads chief Gary Liddle will take over as PTV's interim boss next week, while the Rail, Tram and Bus Union has planned tram stoppages and work bans.

The tram strikes will stop 26 routes between 8pm and 10pm with stoppages spread across four days from Monday to Thursday.

The union has come under fire for not ruling out train strikes during the AFL finals after CFMEU boss John Setka suggested the finals would be a good time for more industrial action.

"It's the (AFL) finals time soon, what a wonderful time to have some industrial action," he told striking train drivers on September 4.

It's not the only strike that could tarnish the AFL finals, with Carlton and United Breweries staff this week flagging work stoppages at Melbourne's Abbotsford plant after seven months of pay negotiations broke down.

CUB says there is enough beer in storage to ensure supplies for the finals.

The police union has also threatened to strike over its pay battle with the state government.

"If industrial action is likely, we will put in place contingency plans to ensure continued service delivery," a Victoria Police spokeswoman says.

But there's better news on the taxi front. A Victorian Taxi and Hire Car Families spokeswoman has told AAP there will be no repeat of the taxi rally that brought Melbourne's Spring Street to a halt on Thursday, with plans for a public forum in the next few weeks instead.


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Source: AAP


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