NSW Train Workers’ Dispute of January: A Study of Industrial Relations

Advanced studies in industrial relations
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Introduction
The train workers planned a 24-hour strike on January. The government reacted by pronouncing
the strike as unlawful. This was following a number of processes, which were followed to
conclude. The strike was following the allegations that the train workers were much being
underpaid and they deserved an increased pay rate. The union claimed that the train workers had
not been paid after a long period. Consequently, they could not afford to sustain the an ever
increasing hard life. The union therefore wanted that the government of the new south wales to
consider increasing the wages for the train workers so that they could afford good life.
According to Train Workers Union in the country, Australian employees, and not just train
workers were being underpaid and that the employers in the country were considering their own
affairs and ignoring the side of the employees. The strike issue brought together the government
of the New South Wales, train, tram and buses Union of Australia, and the Fair Work
Commission of Australia. The act of deeming the strike unlawful, however caused a great
dispute as some of the parties considered it right as the others considered it a violation of the
rights of workers, who are also citizens of the country. It is important to note that this decision
and the aftermath dispute have a lot to do with industrial relations of the country.
This paper describes the main reasons that were evident to have been the cause of the
disagreements between various bodies that were concerned in this dispute. The paper will also
locate the positions each of the parties involved in the conflict in accordance to the theories of
industrial relations. In addition, the paper will provide recommended adjustments that each of the
parties would have made to avoid such conflicts. Here, the paper will help in providing solution
to such issues in case they arise in future.

Major parties involved in the dispute
Attention of various parties in Australia was drawn by this strike plan. First, the Train, Tram and
Buses union was the first to come into play. They first developed the idea of forming employees
union. The other party that was involved in this dispute was the Fair Work Commission of
Australia. Their involvement was following the line of duty because it is the body that ensures
that workers in the country are not underpaid as well as not exposed to any kind of violation by
their employers. Additionally, the serve the role of ensuring the Fair Work Act 2009 is
implemented and workers’ rights are all maintained. Another party that was involved in this
dispute was the Australian Council of Trade Unions, which is concerned with creating favorable
environment for all traders in the country. Their involvement was also in the line of duty as they
are responsible for avoiding any form of inconveniences to the business operations in the
country.
Point Of Conflict in the NSW Train Workers’ Dispute of January
There were a number of points of conflict in the January dispute. Each of the points of conflict
involved at least two parties who had differences in ideas on how the issue should be handled.
The major points of conflict in this case include low pay rates for the train workers in the
country, unplanned and restored overtime, ruling out of the planned strike and support of the rule
out decision.
Lower pay rates for train workers
The Train, Tram and Buses union of Australia had the feeling that workers were not receiving
worthy wages and that they deserved a pay increment following the nature of duties they were
handling in the train company of Sydney. In this dispute, a union-employer interrelationships as

well as union-employee relationships were involved. The union was advocating for better life of
the employees through demanding for a pay increase for the employees. Their argument was
based upon the fact that the train workers’ salaries had remained stagnant for a long time and
therefore needed an increase. The union representatives also claimed that the cost of life is
becoming unaffordable for train workers who he claimed are not receiving good [pays enough to
maintain high costs of life in the country. This drove the union to declaring a 24-hour strike in
the country in demand for pay increase.
Unplanned and restored overtime duties
According to the report, this is another potential point of conflict in this dispute. The dispute
involved employees in the train company and the train company management, thus an employee-
employer based conflict. The workers were against interference to their working schedule where
they were called upon to handle overtime duties which are not planned. This perhaps was
causing inconveniences to their plans, especially after work, hence making them uncomfortable
with their jobs. The employees therefore made a decision that they would not attend to any
unplanned and restored overtime duties, especially those that come after 6PM.
On the other side, the employers felt it was not right taking this course because it would cause
inconveniences to their clients, the business people who want their goods transported to markets
at the time of their convenience. The employee-employer relationships were affected much in
this case as they had difference in opinions concerning taking roles at time which were
considered odd by the employees. Employers on the other side felt it was necessary as they
needed to satisfy all the needs of their clients.
Suspension on the planned strike