Don’t believe union spin as strikes increase

February 15, 2024

Union leaders when announcing a campaign of industrial action often claim the target is the intransigent employer and that any hurt for customers or the public will be incidental.

This is public relations spin and the actual impact of industrial action on customers and the public is often serious.

Today the media is reporting that during Victoria’s massive storm and widespread power blackouts this week, some linesman refused to answer calls to work on the emergency power restoration task. Apparently, the emergency call refusal was connected to a bargaining dispute.

Thousands of homes and businesses are still without power.

VLine has been subjected to an industrial campaign for several weeks. Strikes and bans are implemented during the early hours on Monday and Friday mornings. VLine is forced to cancel trains, use replacement buses and deal with network disruption for the whole day. Both days, particularly Fridays, are high demand travel days.

The prolonged DP World waterfront dispute involved bans and strikes. Many businesses and community service suppliers faced substantial supply chain disruption and financial loss

Paramedics in Victoria are threatening bans and strikes as bargaining for a new agreement drags on. NSW paramedics went on strike late last year during agreement negotiations.

Industrial action does harm customers and the public. Union leader attempts to deny these effects are delusional.

A trend appears to be emerging as ALP Governments embrace the agenda of union leader mates. Industrial action in support of bargaining goals is more common. Ministers appear incapable of calling for a more measured approach from union leaders, let alone criticise the impacts on the innocent public and customers.

Employers should consider being more explicit about the impact of industrial action and taking stronger employer responses to industrial action.