Travel fare warning on protest

[pies4ever]

Travel fare warning on protest
John Masanauskas
21jun06

CONNEX has warned rail passengers to have valid tickets during a union rally next week, despite protest organisers claiming fares will not be checked.

The Victorian Trades Hall Council has told unionists they will be able to travel free on trains and trams to the CBD rally on June 28.
Rail, Tram and Bus Union members have pledged not to check fares between 7am and 1pm to ensure more workers attend the protest against WorkChoices.

But Connex spokesman Andrew Cassidy said yesterday the company expected staff to do their jobs.

"We expect them to check tickets and passengers without valid fares can expect to be fined," he said.

Central Melbourne will come to a standstill during the rally, with unionists marching from four locations to the Bourke St mall.

Federal Labor leader Kim Beazley will be the main speaker.

Trades Hall Council secretary Brian Boyd said the city would be gridlocked.

"I've been involved in demonstrations since the Vietnam moratorium in 1970 and we've never come to the CBD from four directions before," he said.

Asked about disruption to city workers and shoppers, Mr Boyd said: "They should get out of their cars and join the rally."

Unionists will gather at 10am at Trades Hall, Federation Square, Spring St and Southern Cross station and then march to Bourke St.

The protest will finish about 12.30pm.

Rallies will also be held in most interstate capitals, but nothing on the scale of the Melbourne protest.

Militant Victorian unions were spearheading the campaign, Federal Workplace Relations Minister Kevin Andrews said.

"The tactics of these extreme unions underline for all Australians the risk posed by Kim Beazley's plans to again put unions front and centre in Australia's workplaces," he said.

Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry workplace policy director Peter Anderson said firms that incurred costs because of the rallies could seek legal remedies.

Workers and unions face increased fines for taking illegal industrial action under the WorkChoices legislation.

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,19535793%255E2862,00.html

[HAL]

Do you get to travel often?

[Proud Pies]

Connex said the same thing last November when hundreds of thousands turned out for that rally........guess what.........tickets WERE NOT CHECKED

[Joel]

I might watch 'em from work. Hehe.

[Dr Alf Andrews]

I guess it will all depend on whether the ticket sharks are in the union or not. Could get a bit messy if a few anti-union ticket inspectors try to make a name for themselves. Once upon a time they would have all been in the union. These days, maybe not.

Got a feeling there's one hell of a shit-fight coming up ... and I'm barracking for the unions

[Culprit]

They have told their bosses they will check tickets so they don't get sacked. The bosses won't be there so they have no idea what takes place.

[Proud Pies]

and here it is


City commuters borne free
Liam Houlihan
29jun06

THOUSANDS of commuters streamed through open barriers with tickets unchecked at busy city stations during yesterday's rally.

The bonus came after union chiefs promised free public transport for the industrial action.

Train operator Connex said it cleared the barriers to help manage the large crowds, not because of striking staff. (I wish they'd do that at every entrance at Richmond after a game)

But Connex denied there would be an effect on ticket sales.

Passengers flooded through open gates during the morning at major city stations including Flinders St, Parliament and Richmond.

Unionists had vowed to put a freeze on checking tickets leading up to and during the rally to boost numbers.

But some fare evaders trying their luck came unstuck as inspectors continued issuing fines to travellers during the morning peak.

Tram services on Swanston, Collins, Bourke and La Trobe streets were disrupted for hours by the rally.

Yarra Trams, which gets financial bonuses or fines from the Government depending on performance, said it would apply for "mitigation" of tens of thousands of dollars because of the rally.

Both private operators said staff had to arrange shifts to go to the rally on their own time and services were not affected.

"There was no change to train services, no safety dangers and no overall impact on sale of tickets," Connex spokesman Andrew Cassidy said.

Mr Cassidy said many passengers going through the open barriers would have been workers with long-term tickets.

Yarra Trams spokesman Colin Tyrus said there was no leap in sickies or unauthorised leave and all required staff were on deck.

The Rail Tram and Bus Union said it had encouraged drivers and other staff to work to help move more numbers to the protest.

"If they didn't show up there would have been less people getting to the rally," RTBU president Marc Marotta said.