Attorney-General John Quigley, Federal Member for Pearce Tracey Roberts, Transport Minister Rita Saffioti and Premier Roger Cook were present for the launch of the Yanchep Rail Extension. Photo: Facebook/RTBU WA.
The Australian Rail, Tram and Bus Industry Union of Employees (ARTBIU) have accepted the WA Government’s final wage agreement, as Perth’s northern suburbs witness the opening of a brand new rail network.
In Western Australia, the Rail Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) maintains two separate branches: the National Union – the Western Australia Branch (WA Branch), and the State Union – the Western Australia State Branch (State Branch).
Recently the State Branch (AKA the ARTBIU) finalised their negotiations with the WA Government for a replacement industrial agreement. This offer regarding customer service and passenger ticketing employees at the Public Transport Authority (PTA) is the third agreement settled under the state’s new Public Sector Wages Policy, which came into effect last December.
Industrial Relations Minister Simone McGurk announced their successful compromise with the ARTBIU and thanked the union for working with the government.
“The agreement covers approximately 200 employees at PTA, and we are pleased to be able to demonstrate our appreciation of their hard work through this offer.”
Ninety per cent of ARTBIU members voted in support of the three-year industrial agreement, which provides employees with a five per cent wage increase from 22 May, followed by a four per cent increase in 2025 and $60 week in 2026.
The agreement also includes several new and improved conditions of employment, including:
- Reform to shift allowance rates
- Increase in personal leave entitlements
- Access to pro rata long service leave after the first seven years’ service.
In May, the RTBU’s WA Branch secured the first agreement under the state government’s new Wages Policy for their 375 member Transit Officer base.
The union secured a 5 per cent wage increase backdated to October, with further increments in the years following (4% in 2024 and 3.5% in 2025). A higher-paid position of First Class Officer for longer serving officers was also created and officers can now access pro rata long service leave after seven years, instead of the previously decade-long requirement.
Shortly after the ARTBIU’s settlement, the WA Government officially opened the METRONET Yanchep Rail Extension – jointly funded by the Federal and WA Governments.
The Yanchep Rail Extension extends the Joondalup Line 14.5 kilometres north from Butler, and includes three new stations in Alkimos, Eglinton and Yanchep. This line, which began construction in late 2019, is also expected to provide greater access to the Perth CBD and airport.
Now the journey by rail from Perth to Yanchep will take 49 minutes and cost commuters $4.68 a ride, with free travel every Sunday and school students travelling free during the week.
RTBU Branch Secretary Joshua Dekuyer, his family and Transport Minister Rita Saffioti were among the first passengers on the inaugural train from Alkimos Station to Yanchep. Photo: Facebook/RTBU WA.
