Metro has requested urgent conciliation with Fair Work Australia in mediating a dispute with the Rail, Tram and Bus Union's Locomotive Division (RTBU LD) after they refused to accept the first of the 38 new X'Trapolis trains into service yesterday afternoon.
Metro met with members of the RTBU LD yesterday to seek their support to bring the first of the new X'Trapolis trains into service, but the process stalled when the train was rejected from service just before the day's afternoon peak.
"There are no outstanding safety or mechanical issues preventing the train from running, it has been approved by rail engineers as fit for service, and there is no reason why this train should not be carrying passengers," said CEO, Andrew Lezala.
"The CCTV software that had previously been an outstanding issue has now been addressed, but with every modification we make, the RTBU has presented us with a list of new modifications that they want," said Mr Lezala.
"Metro has met with the RTBU LD repeatedly to request their support to enter the train into service, but the consultation process has stalled due to the RTBU LD's insistence that their list of minor non-safety related modifications be completed before the train enters service," said Mr Lezala.
"We're appealing to the select members of the RTBU LD who are obstructing this process to see sense and get the train out on the tracks to carry passengers," he said.
"We are open to continue working with the RTBU LD on further requests for minor modifications, but that can be done once it's been released - none of the requests are justification to keep the new train out of service," he said.
The CCTV software issues were addressed some weeks ago, and the train has been delayed from entering service since then due to a list of further demands for minor modifications that the RTBU has submitted.
For example, the RTBU has expressed concern about an arm pad in the drivers' cab. Metro has been open to the RTBUs requests, and are currently up to our fourth prototype of this wrist rest.
The request for concilliation was submitted to Fair Work Australia late yesterday, and a date has yet to be set for the first mediation.