New Zealand’s rail union has set two dates for strike action against KiwiRail which it says will “paralyse” rail and ferry transport throughout the country.
A one-day strike will be held by South Island union members on Thursday, December 16. Another one-day strike will be held by North Island union members on Friday, December 17.
As train control functions are located in the North Island, this will halt operations in both islands on December 17.
It follows a nationwide ballot of rail union members and will be the first full national stoppage of the rail system in New Zealand since 1994.
The strikes will impact all rail operations in New Zealand including Interislander ferries and Auckland and Wellington metro systems.
The results of the nationwide postal ballot of KiwiRail workers saw a majority vote for strike action to pursue a general wage increase of 8% after no increases in 2020.
Talks between the parties were progressing over the past few weeks with some signs an agreement might be met as the union held off announcing any dates for strike action.
However, Rail and Maritime Transport Union (RMTU) general secretary Wayne Butson says an agreement could not be reached and the decision is not taken lightly but was a reflection of the strongly held views of rail workers.
He says rail workers are essential workers who played their part in keeping New Zealand rolling through the pandemic and the strike notices were an indication of the depth of feeling amongst the workforce, he says.
He says KiwiRail senior management received “huge bonuses” in the 2020/2021 financial year and workers should share the rewards for the huge tonnages moved during lockdown.
“Rail workers are very aware of the importance of their work to New Zealand’s transport needs, and have taken this action because there has not been an acceptable offer forthcoming from management.”
He says the workers claim for a pay rise is a “catch up” and would cover rapidly rising living costs over the last two years.
Butson says the claim for an 8% increase would provide a flat rate universal increase for all members, with an 8% increase being applied to the gross payroll of all members then distributed equally amongst all members.
He says this would provide a “fair and equal” universal increase to members pay.
The results of the nationwide postal ballot saw 1420 (94.41%) vote in favour of strike action and 81 (5.39%) voting against.
KiwiRail ‘disappointed’
KiwiRail deputy chief executive Todd Moyle heads the organisation’s negotiations with the union and says he’s disappointed in the strike ballot outcome.
“In a year in which Covid has already caused so much harm to so many New Zealand families and businesses, the last thing the public wants or needs is a disruptive strike by the RMTU.
“It would halt Interislander ferries just as families prepare for summer holidays, and would further disrupt the supply chain which is already under strain.”
The last round of negotiations between the RMTU and KiwiRail took place November 16.
Moyle says KiwiRail was “bargaining in good faith to try to reach a settlement” without resorting to strike action.
“We have proposed several offers that are fair and reasonable in the current environment, and all have been rejected by the union which is demanding an 8% increase this year,” Moyle says.
