Joe Maisano
Organiser
Welcoming in 2018 and once again Metro are in the spot light with the proposed removal of Control Desks in the Clifton Hill group of stations. That means no Control Desk staff at any locations within that group. By getting rid of the Senior Station Officer roles, it removes the in-depth knowledge and understanding of the surrounding local area, for example passenger assistance, attending to emergencies on the platform, on the train and having staff there readily accessible if things go wrong.
On the job meetings have occurred over the last few weeks at the four Control Desk locations being Reservoir, Clifton Hill, Eltham and Heidelberg Stations. It was a great turn out from members at many of these meetings, with many members turning up in their own time. Members who are not Control Desk operators attended to support their colleagues in this attack on jobs, and to protect jobs within the station grade. There has been a great show of support from station staff across all groups in this fight that the Clifton Hill group are currently facing.
This proposed closure of the Control Desks is currently in Dispute, with Metro Management reluctant to pick up the phone to work this out. This is nothing new and it shows the lack of consideration that Metro have towards their staff and family members whom it will affect the most.
The RTBU and our members take this very seriously and will do whatever is in our power to support members and ensure that no jobs or conditions are lost. So, to all the members in the station grade, support your colleagues in the Clifton Hill group, make this your fight as well because in the long term, it will be affect all groups. To the wider membership of the RTBU outside the station grade, please make it your business to support your fellow comrades.
The Rail industry is not utilised as an industry business where it must please its shareholders, it is an essential necessity for the public and will always remain this way.
