Shortages hit rail staff
Photo: Rob Lockyear
Luke Buffier & Rob Lockyear
The assault on a Brunswick Street station master has come at a time when lobbying aimed at Queensland Rail has reached fever pitch over a claimed chronic staff shortage.
Rail, Tram and Bus Union branch organiser Shane Kummerfeld said that QR had cited contract negotiations for not supplying adequate staffing at railway stations.
"The way we see it is staff levels have declined, and we are concerned about what impact that will have on staff," Mr Kummerfeld said.
"Our first priority is the safety of our staff," he said.
"Any incident is one too many."
The Independent has been told that a station master at Brunswick Street was hit in the face by a passenger angered at a request that he put his cigarette out on the railway platform.
But a Queensland Rail spokesperson denied there was any shortage of staff being experienced across QR's interurban rail network.
"QR consistently monitors its staffing requirements and actively recruits for additional team members on an ongoing basis as needed.
"QR's demonstrated commitment to the safety of its passengers and staff understandably strongly influences the arrangements at attended stations.
"A number of tactics are employed to are employed to ensure the safety of customers and staff including the rostering of appropriate levels of staff, Closed Circuit Television Camera positioning and the presence of Translink Transit Officers throughout the network.
"Passenger Services was not currently engaged in contract negotiations or any other related activity which has caused its staff to be absent," he added.
But Mr Kummerfeld said the shortage was evident at Brunswick Street station during peak-hour and night-time travel over the weekend.
During these busy times, as little as one station employee would be at the platform level of Brunswick Street station.
The impact might be even more extensive on commuters, where many already consider travelling at night to be dangerous.
Queensland Rail hasn't just left Brunswick station understaffed, however.
"The shortages are right across the the city train network," Mr Kummerfeld said.
Rail, Tram and Bus Union branch organiser Shane Kummerfeld said that QR had cited contract negotiations for not supplying adequate staffing at railway stations.
"The way we see it is staff levels have declined, and we are concerned about what impact that will have on staff," Mr Kummerfeld said.
"Our first priority is the safety of our staff," he said.
"Any incident is one too many."
The Independent has been told that a station master at Brunswick Street was hit in the face by a passenger angered at a request that he put his cigarette out on the railway platform.
But a Queensland Rail spokesperson denied there was any shortage of staff being experienced across QR's interurban rail network.
"QR consistently monitors its staffing requirements and actively recruits for additional team members on an ongoing basis as needed.
"QR's demonstrated commitment to the safety of its passengers and staff understandably strongly influences the arrangements at attended stations.
"A number of tactics are employed to are employed to ensure the safety of customers and staff including the rostering of appropriate levels of staff, Closed Circuit Television Camera positioning and the presence of Translink Transit Officers throughout the network.
"Passenger Services was not currently engaged in contract negotiations or any other related activity which has caused its staff to be absent," he added.
But Mr Kummerfeld said the shortage was evident at Brunswick Street station during peak-hour and night-time travel over the weekend.
During these busy times, as little as one station employee would be at the platform level of Brunswick Street station.
The impact might be even more extensive on commuters, where many already consider travelling at night to be dangerous.
Queensland Rail hasn't just left Brunswick station understaffed, however.
"The shortages are right across the the city train network," Mr Kummerfeld said.
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