More than 4,000 people have applied to become rail safety apprentices amid massive disputes over steep pay rises in the industry.
A vacancy for a rail safety apprentice with the Australian Rail Apprentice Network was advertised online and was offered between $95,000 and $110,000 a year.
The impressive pay comes after an ongoing pay dispute plunged Sydney’s train networks into chaos with almost 2,000 services canceled last week.
Australians were stunned to learn of the insane salaries train drivers were demanding for a reduced 35-hour week, with some wanting $198,764 a year.
The six-figure salary for an apprenticeship has seen Australians flock to the opportunity, with many incredulous at the sheer volume of applicants.
‘4,000 applicants. Is this normal? one wrote.
Others said they had never considered running for the position but had changed their minds after seeing $110,000 a year being offered.
‘$95,000 for an entry level position which I assume will increase after the internship is over? I’m leaning towards being candidate 4051,’ wrote one.
More than 4,000 people have applied to become rail safety apprentices amid huge disputes over steep pay rises in the industry.
“I’m surprised every NSW graduate hasn’t applied for it,” said another.
‘It’s a generous salary for what appears to be an entry-level position. I’m tempted to apply. “My public service job, for which I have two degrees, pays almost $10,000 less than minimum wage,” wrote another.
‘Government position requiring no prior skills or experience and includes all required paid training starting in 6 figures. Why wouldn’t it have so many applications? said another.
The Fair Work Commission has suspended a series of work bans brought by NSW train drivers in a bid to win pay rises, bBut the interim order only ruled out the strike until the commission heard the government’s full case on Wednesday.
The requested orders would have thwarted the union’s ability to instigate a new set of work bans and force them to go to arbitration, where the labor court could dictate the pay rise workers receive.
The government said the strike had caused “significant damage to a significant part of the economy”.
The union, which has been pushing for four annual pay rises of eight per cent, appears unlikely to accept the government’s offer of 15 per cent over four years.
About 75 per cent of New South Wales’ 13,300 railway workers are members of unions, mostly the Railway, Tram and Bus Union.
A vacancy for a rail safety apprentice with the Australian Rail Apprentice Network was advertised online and offered between $95,000 and $110,000 a year.
Radio station 2GB sparked further debate by suggesting that the unions’ demands – a 32 per cent pay rise over four years and a reduction to a 35-hour workweek – would result in machinists earning high wages.
According to 2GB, the proposed increases would see annual salaries rise from $157,081, including superannuation, in the first year to $198,764 in the fourth year.
Transport for NSW reports that the average salary for a Sydney Trains driver is $128,196, which includes overtime and allowances.
But the RTBU states that the base salary is $78,388.
Businessman and NSW Liberal executive member Matthew Camezuli said the union was “out of control”.
‘They drive trains. They are not pilots. Surely there are many people who would be willing and able to drive trains at today’s salary. Labor and the unions are out of control.
Many Australians agreed on social media.
‘This is what the salaries of paramedics, nurses and police officers should be like. No to the train drivers,” one person wrote.
“It’s a joke,” said another.
‘Wow. sign me up It’s an easier job than a manual job and pays ten times more,” said a third.
“I think it’s time for driverless trains,” added a fourth.
The ongoing pay dispute involving the Electrical Workers Union and the Railway, Tram and Bus Union led to the cancellation of more than 1,900 services last week.