The railway union has confirmed that industrial action will continue as planned on Friday after failing to resolve its long-running dispute with the state government over the safety of the new trains.
Key points:
- Railway staff are scheduled to increase their industrial action on Friday
- Trains will run on a weekend schedule with many services canceled
- The union described the talks with transport officials as “disappointing”.
Travelers and people traveling to Sydney Airport in advance of the start of the school holidays are warned to expect delays, with trains running on a weekend schedule and many services canceled.
Sydney Trains CEO Matthew Longland urged people to avoid non-essential travel.
“Travel will take longer, trains will be busier, and they will certainly be much less frequent,” Longland said.
“We expect an increase in demand at Sydney Airport as a result of the school holidays.
“Please look for alternative ways to travel if you’re going to the airport.”
A major disruption to train services is expected as staff move forward with industrial action. (Twitter: @ rx4kid)
On Wednesday, Transport Minister David Elliott made an offer to spend $ 264 million on modifications to the new trains, which have been inactive for two years.
Union leaders met with transport officials on Thursday to discuss the government’s latest offer, but the meeting ended without reaching any agreement.
RTBU secretary Alex Claassens called the meeting “disappointing”, saying the government did not submit its offer in writing.
“We don’t yet have any signed documents with which we can go out to our members and have a conversation about reducing any kind of industrial action,” he said.
“What we have today is a little back.
“[The government is] saying we will give you this money to fix the trains, but we want it to come at the expense of your wages and conditions.
“We’ve been here twice before … they made promises and then they leave.”
Longland said it was “disappointing” that industrial action took place on Friday.
“There has been no going back on any of the commitments offered by the New South Wales government,” he said.
“The offer has been provided, in writing, we have also taken the opportunity to work on the details of the offer, line by line, with the RTBU and the railway unions.
“The unions have asked for a legal deed in addition to the offer and we are working on this process at the moment.”
Claassens said the union remains open to negotiations.
“We need signed documents, we need an agreement before we can go to our delegates,” he said.
On Friday, drivers will refuse to operate foreign-made trains, which, according to Longland, would mean a 70 percent reduction in train services.
The Tram and Bus Union claims the new trains are unsafe because they do not allow guards to check if the platforms and gaps are clear.
However, the government has maintained that trains are safe, and the fleet has received accreditation from the National Railway Safety Regulator.
Posted 10 hours ago 10 hours ago Thu, June 30, 2022 at 8:44 AM, updated 8 hours, 8 hours ago, Thu, June 30, 2022 at 11:22 AM