Metro train staff to strike again, free travel likely on Grand Final day

LATEST: Metro boss Andrew Lezala says the rail authority put a ‘great deal’ on the table and next week’s industrial action is totally unnecessary.

Commuters look set for free train travel on Grand Final day, as the pay battle between Metro and the Rail, Tram and Bus Union reignites.

Metro staff have flagged their intent to strike again as part of a ‘week of industrial action’, which will include a ban on checking Myki tickets on Grand Final day.

They will also refuse to wear uniforms and refuse to skip stations during various stages of the week.

A four-hour stop work meeting will also be held on Thursday between 10am and 2pm.

Mr Lezala told 3AW Mornings it came down to one issue and the rail authority thought it was all over yesterday.

‘It is very regrettable that this is happening again, this is so unnecessary,’ he said.

‘Yesterday we were so close to closing it that it was just unnecessary that they walked out.

‘The issue is coming down to one thing really – and that is about who moves trains in maintenance depots.’

Mr Lezala said the union was being ‘unfair to Melburnians’.

‘We want them, rather than being so focussed by raising their profile by taking industrial action, we want them to get to the table and fix what is relatively a small issue right now,’ he said.

LISTEN: Metro says the train strike comes down to one issue