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 due to new union laws could face action before the Fair Work Commission after the powerful rail union introduced a “stop bullying” order.

The Rail, Tram and Bus Union is calling on the court to force Liberal Kellyville MP Ray Williams to apologize for a February 11 post featuring a photo of two Sydney Metro staff and the caption “Special treatment this evening”.

“Who said the 2 drivers of our driverless Metro train, the Minns Labor Government and their Union friends are not working for NSW?” Mr. Williams wrote on Facebook.

The post attracted more than 400 comments, many of them critical, including former RTBU national secretary and Labor MLC Bob Nanva, who said the comment was “a disgraceful slur on Metro workers who are clearly off duty”.

“Taking this photo without their permission, posting it on social media and then using it to personally attack these workers (and railway workers in general) is appalling behavior for an MP,” Mr Nanva wrote.

The RTBU has since launched “stop bullying” applications against Mr Williams at the Fair Work Commission; The union believes this is the first action taken against a member of parliament.

In NSW action can be taken before the commission to stop an allegation of bullying, the matter can be brought to conciliation and if that fails a hearing can be held after which the commission can make specific directions.

The union said the members pictured in the post were said to be experiencing stress, anxiety and “increased concern for their safety at work”, with one member expressing that he now felt “hyper-vigilant” while carrying out his duties.

RTBU NSW branch secretary Toby Warnes said the post was “an extraordinary error of judgment by a person elected to the NSW parliament”.

“Photographing front-line railway workers without their consent and using this to score political points is unacceptable. Our members deserve to commute to work without being publicly targeted or feeling unsafe,” he said.

“No worker needs to worry that finishing their shift will result in them being photographed, posted online and dragged into a political discourse. We took this step because everyone, including MPs, has a responsibility to keep workplaces safe.”

Mr Warnes said the post should never have been made and staff should not have been “baited on social media by people who should know better and should be setting the standard for respectful behaviour”.

RTBU is asking the commission for Mr Williams to remove the post from social media, delete the photo from his device and refrain from “posting photographs of applicants at work” or “interacting with applicants at work or while in uniform”.

The union is also asking Mr Williams to issue a retraction and apology.

It is understood the matter will be listed for a conference in the coming weeks which Mr Williams may be required to attend.

As of Wednesday morning, the post was no longer online.

It comes as the Labor government is trying to pass a new union law that opponents say would 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 criticized new union laws as well as strike plans among Metro workers.

The post about the two staff members faced fierce condemnation from commenters who accused Mr Williams of “double standards” and urged him to “wake up to himself”.

“I ride the subway every day and these workers are clearly going 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 people were quick to point out that the post was made while parliament was in session.

“Parliament is still sitting now. Did you take early notes and leave parliament early today… You shouldn’t be working for the Northwest!” one person said.

Another asked if Mr. Williams had asked staff for permission to take photographs.

“Hey MP Ray Williams, railway staff are not allowed to take the train home but can you do this?

“Where is the double standard, man?”

Mr Williams and the NSW opposition have been approached for comment.