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Perth train drivers strike

Train drivers again call in sick en masse, disrupting commuters and threatening the start of the Royal Show.

Train drivers are applying for indefinite stress leave as Perth rail system strains under more "blue flu" strike action today and for the first day of the Perth Royal Show tomorrow.

Public Transport Authority spokesman David Hynes confirmed 53 drivers had called in sick today, forcing rail services this morning to operate with significant delays.

Trains on the Thornlie line have been cancelled, with commuters being told to take the Armadale line instead.

Last month's train drivers' 'mass sickie' caused chaos for Perth commuters.

Last month's train drivers' 'mass sickie' caused chaos for Perth commuters. Photo: Katherine Fenech

Trains on all lines are running every half hour, with services on the Mandurah and Joondalup lines running on the hour and half-hour, while services on the Midland, Fremantle and Armadale lines are running on the 15-minute and 45-minute mark of every hour.

Mr Hynes said the size of all trains had been increased to the maximum capacity to cope with the demands on the reduced services, but he urged commuters to consider alternative transport options.

"If there's an easy option, perhaps look at it," he said. "The train services are there, but obviously they are running slower than normal."

Mr Hynes said to help alleviate the afternoon peak-hour rush on the Mandurah/Joondalup lines, city commuters travelling south were being urged to board trains at the Esplanade station, while those travelling north should board at the Perth Underground station.

Bus drivers have been told they may be needed to replace trains if more drivers call in sick and services need to be cancelled.

Main roads were experiencing heavier traffic than usual this morning as commuters took to their cars to avoid the train chaos.

Commuters packed onto train platforms this morning in an effort to squeeze onto the services available but most stations were virtually clear by 8.30am.

Pay dispute splits workforce

A bitter pay dispute has exposed serious divisions in the 260-strong train driver workforce, with 240 opting to be represented by Perth lawyer Peter Momber and the rest staying with the Rail, Tram and Bus Union.

Mr Momber warned transport chaos could continue indefinitely as drivers sought to go on sick leave.

"The representatives of that group (of drivers), they just can't cope any longer and have told me that there will be a significant number seeking to go off on stress leave," Mr Momber said.

"They have to go to a doctor nominated by their employer and who knows what those doctors will say. But within our medical system every doctor is highly reputable and unlikely to bow to public pressure."

Attempts by the WA Industrial Relations Commission to bridge the gap between the two groups of drivers, their employer the PTA and the state government came to an end yesterday afternoon.

Commissioner Stephen Kenner ordered an end to wage negotiations and signalled the dispute would instead go into arbitration, meaning a third party would make a decision on the claim.

If more than 15 drivers call in sick, Commissioner Kenner ordered they would have to obtain proof of their illness from doctors chosen by the PTA, or forfeit their right to sick pay. Those who didn't attend would have the cancellation fee deducted from their wages.

Their colleagues would have to make themselves available for extra shifts.

Mr Momber's majority group of drivers are seeking a back payment of around $13,600, to bring the base pay rate in line with the consumer price index since 2006. It would see the base pay rate up to $1130 a week from $1042. They have also asked for a shift allowance increase.

"They are the worst paid train drivers in Australia by anybody's measure, if they are granted this increase they will be equal to the next worst paid group," Mr Momber said.

"I think the public of WA are going to get sick of this, they are going to hit us because you always hit the person you can see."

"I can tell you my clients are having to resort to the only thing that's left to them. If they can't work and the general public can't use the public transport system then the government has got to come to the party."

Union represented drivers were seeking a 6 per cent pay rise while the government had offered a 3.75 per cent rise in the first year and 4 per cent in the second, according to union secretary Phil Woodcock.

Both Premier Colin Barnett and Opposition transport spokesman Ken Travers condemned any industrial action that would disrupt the Perth Royal Show.

Organisers expect between 50,000 and 60,000 people to head to the show's opening day, most of whom would need to use public transport because of limited parking.