Sydney commuters will face further train delays with trains running at 60% of their capacity for the rest of the week.
Key points:
- The industrial action will take place on Wednesday, as planned
- The union predicted that only 25 percent of the trains would be operational
- However, the union lifted a number of industrial bans that will allow 60 percent of the train fleet to be operational.
The NSW government has submitted a request to the Fair Work Commission to stop further industrial action by the railway union, which would only run 25 per cent of the trains on the tracks.
While industrial action scheduled for Wednesday will continue, Metropolitan Highways Minister Natalie Ward said the government had won.
“The Union of Trains and Buses (RTBU) has now lifted a number of industrial bans that will allow 60 per cent of the train fleet to be operational by the end of the week,” he said.
“This is a big step in the right direction for all rail passengers.”
Natalie Ward said today’s advances were a “step in the right direction.” (AAP: Bianca De Marchi)
Ms Ward said the application did not address all the issues raised by the RTBU and said three more applications would be submitted to the Fair Work Commission to suspend and terminate all planned actions.
“We have seen a great victory in the ability to get more trains back on track.
“The last thing we need in bad weather is for people to stand on our platforms longer for 10, 20 or 30 minutes trying to get where they need to go.”
NSW Chief Transport Officer Howard Collins said travelers should avoid train travel due to industrial action and heavy rains that have affected Sydney.
“Please don’t make these non-essential trips,” he said.
“If you travel early tomorrow, check before you travel, make sure your time is running out. And if you can delay your trip, especially at the tip, where we hope to be under more pressure.”
The RTBU said in a statement that the decision of the Fair Work Commission was an “important” victory.
“The Fair Work Commission has joined forces today with the Railway, Tram and Bus Union and has agreed to continue with the protected industrial action planned for the coming days. This is an important victory and we must take a moment and celebrate it, ”the union said. in a statement.
“However, it’s not over yet … We struggle with everything we have.”
Trains have been disrupted since late June due to the breakdown of negotiations between the government and unions on the safety of the new long-distance fleet.
Passengers will face delays, but there will be more trains in operation. (AAP: Nikki Short)
The union says the trains do not allow guards to properly visualize the platform before leaving and want them to be modified before allowing them to enter operation.
The state government said it cost $ 30 million a month to store the trains and this week pledged to spend $ 264 million to modify them according to union demands.
A full hearing between the two parties will be held on Thursday.
Posted 2 hours ago Tuesday, July 5, 2022 at 7:38 AM, updated 2 hours ago, 2 hours ago, Tuesday, July 5, 2022 at 8:03 AM