DRIVERS CAMPAIGN TO MAKE YOUR TRAIN LATE
Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2004 6:15 am
Drivers campaign to make your train late
SYDNEY commuters face hundreds oftrain cancellations next week as drivers begin a guerilla industrial campaign which will plunge the rail network into further crisis.
Train drivers have set up a secret group called the Drivers Affirmative Action Group (DAAG) – with 10 "membership rules" which include driving trains below the speed limit and taking meal breaks in peak hour.
The industrial campaign against CityRail will pile further misery on commuters and is a protest at tough new health and safety regulations for drivers brought in after the Waterfall train crash, which killed seven people a year ago.
CityRail confirmed last night 100 drivers have suddenly rejected the offer of overtime next week.
It will be short 40 drivers a day, affecting at least50 services – but probably a lot more.
Most drivers have been doing at least oneovertime shift a week as CityRail struggles with a criticaldriver shortage, which has resulted in 70 per cent of afternoon trains being late.
"A unity of people can bring down any system," a DAAG leaflet proclaims.
"We are committed to maintaining CityRail drivers' rights and conditions while conveying a message to management that drivers are sick of the harassment we are receiving on a daily basis while still beingexpected to give 110 per cent effort in running theirunderstaffed system."
The group encourages drivers to join DAAGsimply by conforming to 10 "commandments", including:
<LI>DRIVING below the speed limit;</LI>
<LI>REFUSING overtime shifts, which will causefurther delays as CityRail struggles with a severe driver shortage;</LI>
<LI>TAKING "regular personal needs breaks", with some commuters reporting drivers have been spotted taking breaks in peak hour;</LI>
<LI>STOPPING trains to answer the radio; and</LI>
<LI>TAKING any train that doesn't meet proper "train preparation" out of service, including trains hit by graffiti – no matter how small.</LI>
Transport Minister Michael Costa said the Government would not "shy away" from critical safety reforms.
Mr Costa added: "Safety is the priority . . . as identified by the Waterfall inquiry.
"That includes tougher medical standards, vigilance systems on all trains and better training."
The DAAG campaign initiative is partly in response to 22 drivers suddenly calling in sick on the Friday afternoon shift before the three-day Australia Day long weekend.
About a dozen CityRail drivers are quitting every month, while others are failing medical checks which came in this week.
CityRail's drivers, guards and controllers face tough screening for medical conditions, including epilepsy and heart disease.
A horror week on Sydney trains included 39 services being cancelled on Wednesday because of a graffiti attack on eight trains.
Two leaders of graffiti gangs targeting railway yards have since been arrested. DAAG drivers said they were tired of giving up their days off to work overtime shifts and covering driver shortages.
"[We're sick of] putting up with the disruption to your social life and family life by having to work weekends, public holidays and staggered shift work," read the leaflet, which was posted in train crew meal rooms.
SYDNEY commuters face hundreds oftrain cancellations next week as drivers begin a guerilla industrial campaign which will plunge the rail network into further crisis.
Train drivers have set up a secret group called the Drivers Affirmative Action Group (DAAG) – with 10 "membership rules" which include driving trains below the speed limit and taking meal breaks in peak hour.
The industrial campaign against CityRail will pile further misery on commuters and is a protest at tough new health and safety regulations for drivers brought in after the Waterfall train crash, which killed seven people a year ago.
CityRail confirmed last night 100 drivers have suddenly rejected the offer of overtime next week.
It will be short 40 drivers a day, affecting at least50 services – but probably a lot more.
Most drivers have been doing at least oneovertime shift a week as CityRail struggles with a criticaldriver shortage, which has resulted in 70 per cent of afternoon trains being late.
"A unity of people can bring down any system," a DAAG leaflet proclaims.
"We are committed to maintaining CityRail drivers' rights and conditions while conveying a message to management that drivers are sick of the harassment we are receiving on a daily basis while still beingexpected to give 110 per cent effort in running theirunderstaffed system."
The group encourages drivers to join DAAGsimply by conforming to 10 "commandments", including:
<LI>DRIVING below the speed limit;</LI>
<LI>REFUSING overtime shifts, which will causefurther delays as CityRail struggles with a severe driver shortage;</LI>
<LI>TAKING "regular personal needs breaks", with some commuters reporting drivers have been spotted taking breaks in peak hour;</LI>
<LI>STOPPING trains to answer the radio; and</LI>
<LI>TAKING any train that doesn't meet proper "train preparation" out of service, including trains hit by graffiti – no matter how small.</LI>
Transport Minister Michael Costa said the Government would not "shy away" from critical safety reforms.
Mr Costa added: "Safety is the priority . . . as identified by the Waterfall inquiry.
"That includes tougher medical standards, vigilance systems on all trains and better training."
The DAAG campaign initiative is partly in response to 22 drivers suddenly calling in sick on the Friday afternoon shift before the three-day Australia Day long weekend.
About a dozen CityRail drivers are quitting every month, while others are failing medical checks which came in this week.
CityRail's drivers, guards and controllers face tough screening for medical conditions, including epilepsy and heart disease.
A horror week on Sydney trains included 39 services being cancelled on Wednesday because of a graffiti attack on eight trains.
Two leaders of graffiti gangs targeting railway yards have since been arrested. DAAG drivers said they were tired of giving up their days off to work overtime shifts and covering driver shortages.
"[We're sick of] putting up with the disruption to your social life and family life by having to work weekends, public holidays and staggered shift work," read the leaflet, which was posted in train crew meal rooms.