Services Threatened Over Games Bonus

Date: 10 March 2000

Arrangements for transport and emergency services during the Olympic Games are under a cloud after the Carr Government indicated there would be no extra money for workers placed on special rosters.

The Rail Tram and Bus Union has flagged that without some form of allowance its members won't work the special rosters drawn up to meet the unprecedented activity during the 15-day Games period.

"We will be running a peak hour train service 20 hours per day - that's 30 trains per hour - while the buses will be on call across the city," RTBU state secretary Nick Lewocki says.

The RTBU is currently negotiating an enterprise agreement to cover flexible rosters on major events and is also seeking a one-off bonus for the Games period.

And the Health and Research Employees Association says its members in hospitals and the ambulance service deserve a bonus, having already been told that leave will not be granted during the games.

The unions have asked the Labor Council to coordinate negotiations, after the Premiers Department indicated the government's position was that there should be no allowance whatsoever.

But Labor Council secretary Michael Costa says this is an issue "the government can't duck".

"Throughout the Games' preparation we have been responsible - the construction has been performed on time and under budget, an award is in place for workers at the Games," Costa says.

"But the government has to recognise that public sector workers should also be recognised for the extra responsibilities they will take on during the period."

While not wanting to set a quantum for the claim, Costa says workers at games venues have negotiated a $1.50 per hour attendance bonus.

Premier Wrong On Olympics Promise

The Premier Bob Carr today responded to the claim, saying it breached 1993 and 1998 commitments not to use the Games to push for wage increases.

But Costa says the premier is mistaken to say that a claim for an Olympics allowance for public sector workers breached earlier undertakings.

Mr Costa says the claim, is totally consistent with a 1998 undertaking: "this is not a pay claim, it is a claim for a one-off allowance to recognise major changes to the way many workers will have to perform their duties."

"We are talking about workers who have had leave entitlements suspended and major changes to their rosters.

"The trade union movement have kept all their commitments to the government. Building workers have constructed the facilities on time and under budget; workers at Games venues have locked into a special award.

"Public sector workers in vital areas like health, transport and emergency services, should receive some recognition of their increased pressure and workloads during this period.

"I will be seeking a meeting with the Government to point out that this claim is reasonable and in no way breaches previous undertakings.

"The Labor Council is committed to ensuring that workers are fairly compensated for their labour during the Games period.

"It is because of our efforts to negotiate wage arrangements early that there will be no wages explosion in NSW as a consequence of the Games."

For further information

Contact:	Peter Lewis
Union:	Labor Council of NSW
WWW:	http://workers.labor.net.au/

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