Liberal MP faces Fair Work action over Sydney Metro social media post

A Sydney MP who shared a photo of two train staff in a row over new union laws could face action before the Fair Work Commission after the powerful rail union brought a “stop bullying” order. The Rail, Tram, and Bus Union is urging the tribunal to compel Liberal Kellyville MP Ray Williams to apologise for the February 11 post, which featured a photo of two Sydney Metro staff with the caption “Special treat this evening”. “2 Drivers on our driverless Metro train, who said the Minns Labor Government and their Union mates are not working for NSW?” Mr Williams wrote on Facebook. The post garnered more than 400 comments – most of which were critical – including from former RTBU national secretary and Labor MLC Bob Nanva, who said it was a “disgraceful slur on Metro workers who are clearly off-duty”. “To take this photo, without their permission, post it on social media, and then use it to personally attack those workers (and rail workers in general), is appalling behaviour for a Member of parliament,” Mr Nanva wrote. The RTBU has since launched a “stop bullying” applications in the Fair Work Commission against Mr Williams that the union believes is the first such action taken against a member of parliament. In NSW, action can be taken with the commission in order to stop alleged bullying, with the matter going to conciliation and, if that fails, a hearing, after which the commission may make certain orders. The union said it was told members pictured in the post had experienced stress, anxiety and “heightened concern for their safety at work”, with one member stating that they now felt “hypervigilant” while performing his duties. RTBU NSW branch secretary Toby Warnes said the post was an “extraordinary lapse in judgment by someone elected to the NSW parliament”. “Taking a photo of frontline rail workers without their consent and using it to score political points is unacceptable. Our members deserve to travel to and from work without being publicly targeted or made to feel unsafe,” he said. “No worker should have to worry that simply finishing their shift could result in them being photographed, posted online and dragged into a political narrative. We’ve taken this step because everyone, including MPs, has a responsibility to ensure workplaces are safe.” Mr Warnes said the post should never have happened, and staff should not be “turned into social media fodder by people who should know better and who should be setting the standard for respectful conduct”. The RTBU is seeking for the commission to have Mr Williams remove the post from social media, delete the photograph from his device, and refrain from “publishing further photographs of the applicants taken while they are at work” or “interacting with the applicants while they are at work or in uniform”. The union is also seeking Mr Williams to publish a retraction and apology. It is understood the matter will be listed for a conference in coming weeks that Mr Williams may be required to attend. As of Wednesday morning, the post was no longer online. It comes as the Labor government seeks to pass a new union bill opponents say will give unions access to company computer systems. Last year, the NSW government ended a months-long dispute with the RTBU over staff pay. In separate posts, Mr Williams criticised plans for a strike among Metro staff as well as the new union laws. The post about the two staff members faced fierce condemnation by commenters who accused Mr Williams of “double standards” and urging him to “wake up to yourself”. “I get the Metro every day and these workers are clearly on their way home,” one person said. “I don’t think it’s right to post the faces of innocent Metro workers on social media just to push a political agenda,” another said. Many were quick to point out the post was made while parliament was in session. “Parliament is currently still sitting. Did you get an early mark and leave parliament early today … you mustn’t be working for the Northwest!” one person said. Another asked if Mr Williams asked the staff for their permission to take the photo. “Hey Ray Williams MP are rail staff not permitted to catch a train home yet you can? “Where’s the double standard there mate.” Mr Williams and the NSW opposition were approached for comment.