The WA Government has welcomed the decision by the Australian Rail, Tram and Bus Industry Union of Employees (ARTBIU) to accept its offer for a replacement industrial agreement.
The decision makes transit officers the first public sector occupational group to settle negotiations under the Public Sector Wages Policy Statement 2023.
Over 87.5 per cent of Australian Rail, Tram and Bus Industry Union of Employees members voted in support of the three-year agreement.
Industrial Relations Minister Simone McGurk said he was happy to announce the agreement and thanked the ARTBIU for working with the government.
“The agreement covers approximately 400 employees at the Public Transport Authority (PTA), and we are pleased to be able to demonstrate our appreciation of their hard work through this offer,” he said.
“We’re committed to delivering fair wage increases, while continuing the strong budget management the community appreciates and expects from this Government.
“I am pleased we have been able to settle the first agreement under Wages Policy and look forward to resolving other negotiations in coming months.”
Employees covered by the agreement will receive a 5.0 per cent increase from 7 October 2023, further increases of 4.0 per cent in 2024 and 3.5 per cent in 2025.
The replacement agreement for transit officers includes several new and improved conditions of employment, including:
- Recognition of experience and knowledge of senior employees through the establishment of a new First Class Officers classification;
- standardisation of shift provisions to other occupational groups employed by the Public Transport Authority, and;
- Access to pro rata long service leave after the first seven years of service.
Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said she was pleased that the government could work constructively with the union.
“Our transit officers carry out a very important function on the public transport network, and we’ve always been committed to delivering better wages and conditions,” she said.
“This is the first industrial agreement to be struck under our Government’s new principles-based Wages Policy, which is based on good faith negotiations and delivering fair but financially sustainable wage increases and conditions, and supporting the attraction and retention of public sector workers.”
The State Government’s new principles-based Wages Policy came into effect in December.
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