Looks like the pre Xmas bureaucratically run bus and rail strikes and other industrial action- has contributed to proposed industrial action by NSW nurses union - currently nurses are voting on a one day strike presumably to let off steam by union officials on 15/2/22. While there is talk in the media about a changed date of the Federal Election from May to Sept this year.
There was a major escalation
There was a major escalation of the situation in the NSW railways with regard to the union hierarchy's fake Enterprise Agreement campaign. With today Monday 21/2/22 a lockout of workers in Sydney Trains and NSW Trains by management. Probably aimed at compelling train drivers to cave-in on privatisation moves such as driver only operation of new interurban trains. The timing of the lockout looks to be in an un-favourable period for such action with end of the holiday period and return of schools, unis and various workplace to normal operations. This action and industrial disruption is probably also connected with the coming Federal and NSW elections later this year. Check yahoo Sydney News. In regard to the previous report - the NSW nurses union went ahead with the strike in defiance of the Fair Work Australia Court decision outlawing the action. It was conducted by the union officials in a very divisive fashion and just for one day to let off some steam.
Just heard according to
Just heard according to someone with good ALP and union hierarchy contacts - rail lockout continuing into tomorrow Tues.
Further on rail lockout -
Further on rail lockout - likely there has been long term planning by management/Govt and union bosses to have a lockout - to get through particularly the privatisation moves. However the original plan looks for it held in Jan. 2022 in holiday period - business down time - we know there were several rail line closures at this time and rail bus services arranged for track maintenance but also for the lockout agenda - so important pieces in the lockout puzzle in place - but latest Sparks warned against industrial action during bosses' down time - so out maneouvering them some what. If we look back at the Melb. Trammies dispute and lockout in 1990 - trammies were lured into the January holiday period for their resistance to removal of conductors and depot occupations .
Latest news is that the
Latest news is that the lockout did not continue into Tues.22/2/22 with limited train services and some replacement bus services today. Definitely Big Business would never okay its extension in this unfavourable period for them for industrial disruption.
Interestingly workers were paid for the day - looks more like a stunt for the upcoming elections. In the context of a January lockout, it would be presented as indefinite - with workers not paid and "starved" out to break train drivers opposition to DOO(Driver Only Operation) and privatisation moves like in the 1990 Tramway dispute/lockout. The defeat of the trammies and subsequent removal of tram conductors must also be seen as an important precursor to the privatisation of the tramways in Victoria associated with cost cutting for private operators.
Another aspect of the
Another aspect of the relationship of the Rail EBA campaign and the lockout is this - industrial action re the EBA was started off in the depths of the COVID lockout last year - in the bosses down time definitely - there is likely to be some other method in the seeming madness - aclimatising the grass roots and particularly train drivers for industrial action in another down time - in January 2022 - so luring drivers etc into an industrially unfavourable period and creating the pretext for the launching of the lockdown. It would be similar to the trammie lockout of Jan. 1990 - a very nasty indefinte affair with certainly workers not paid.It would not be just some token election stunt like on Monday.
Just noticed article on Yahoo Sydney News 24/2/22 "Two Week Rail Shut Down Contingency Plan" - so certainly the lockout was no off the cuff thing - but the result of long term planning and backroom discussions probably going back years - but needing the favourable time with the ok of union hierarchy, Govt and other interested parties of course.