Delays across the entire network on Friday morning were triggered by a break-down in negotiations between the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) and the NSW government.
Key points
- NSW Government: “After extensive negotiations over the last few days, the unions at the last hour asked for a $4,500 bonus payment for every rail worker.”
- Transport for NSW urged people to “allow extra travel time, plan ahead and delay non-essential travel.”
- For Sydney train information visit here.
According to a NSW government spokesperson, the action was brought about by a sudden request for a bonus for all railworkers.
“After extensive negotiations over the last few days, the unions at the last hour asked for a $4,500 bonus payment for every rail worker,” the spokesperson said, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
“This was never part of our offer, nor was it in the union’s counteroffer.”
“Allow extra travel time”
When the request was reportedly dismissed, the RTBU triggered industrial action.
The action involves trains running slower, leading to extensive delays, and the union telling workers they were not required to work.
More than 350 trains have been cancelled, and commuters have been warned to prepare for delays.
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“After extensive negotiations over the last few days, the unions at the last hour asked for a $4,500 bonus payment for every rail worker,”
All Sydney train services have been reportedly affected, including the T1-T9, Blue Mountains, Central Coast and Newcastle, Hunter, South Coast and Southern Highlands lines.
“Due to industrial action, delays and service cancellations are currently being experienced across the rail network,” Sydney Trains and NSW TrainLink posted on X this morning.
In a statement, Transport for NSW urged people to “allow extra travel time, plan ahead and delay non-essential travel.”
The agency said that it was “working hard to recover as much of the timetable as possible, however, due to a high level of staff absences, we are looking at ongoing, substantial, and worsening disruption.”
“Go slow”
According to multiple reports, including the ABC, the action was triggered by a text message sent out by an RTBU convener last night at 9.30PM.
“Due to the Government’s refusal to negotiate in good faith, the go slow is on tomorrow,” the text read.
“You are under no obligation to inform management of your intentions.
Transport for NSW urged people to “allow extra travel time, plan ahead and delay non-essential travel.”
“If you can afford to take the hit to your pay you don’t have to show up to work at all.
“Let’s **** the network up.”
RTBU NSW Secretary Toby Warnes addressed the text on 2GB this morning.
“Ben, look, to be honest, I’m not aware of the text that you’ve read out,” he told 2GB’s Ben Fordham.
Lockout claims
According to News Corp, the RTBU claimed that Sydney and NSW Trains told workers that they would “lock out” employees and “dock their pay” if they caused transport to run slower.
The claim was rejected by NSW Minister for Transport John Graham.
For Sydney train information visit transportnsw.info
“This isn’t a lockout — we’re obviously, though, not paying people to take industrial action,” he said.
“That’s no reason, though, for commuters to be impacted, for small businesses to be impacted.”
Resolution?
Mr Warnes said he was hopeful of a resolution today.
“I hope we can get back around the table today and just resolve this thing,” he told 2GB.
“But the immediate fix to this is for the government to just rescind its lockout notices.”
For Sydney train information visit here.
Feature image: Photo by CanvaPro
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