Vic train strikes on AFL grand final day

Victorian train staff will stop work in the lead up to AFL Grand Final Day as part of a pay dispute.

Ticket inspectors will refuse to check myki cards on AFL Grand Final Day as strike action again hits Melbourne's trains.

Train staff will also stop work for four hours on October 1 as the Rail, Tram and Bus Union continues pay negotiations with Metro Trains.

The government and Metro called the strikes "completely unnecessary" but the union says they are the only way to get their message across.

"Metro is still trying to strip away our members' long standing conditions in areas such as the length of the working day, overtime, rostering and disciplinary procedures," union secretary Luba Grigorovitch said on Wednesday.

"We have continued to negotiate with the company, having held off for two weeks from taking further strike action, with our efforts focused on looking for compromise, but Metro still seems to want it all."

Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan said it was time for negotiation, not strikes.

"Hurting passengers and disrupting Grand Final Week is not the way to get a good deal for members or gain the support of the Victorian public," Ms Allan said.

A Metro spokeswoman said the company was disappointed the strikes were going ahead after productive meetings.

"In the event of more protected action, we will do everything in our power to minimise the disruption to our customers," she said.

Train staff won't wear uniforms for a week starting September 29, while late trains won't be reported and stations won't be skipped on October 2.

Drivers will refuse to drive trains without first checking that PA systems are operational on October 4 and that both headlights are working on October 5.

Opposition public transport spokesman David Hodgett said the government needed to step in.

"Our Grand Final week is being held to ransom while Daniel Andrews and Jacinta Allan continue as spectators on the sidelines," he said.

The union has already held three four-hour work stoppages over train and tram pay deals.


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Source: AAP


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