Trains across Sydney have been significantly disrupted in recent days due to industrial action by the Rail, Tram, and Bus Union (RTBU).
In response, the NSW Government is taking the RTBU to the Fair Work Commission (FWC) on Thursday night to force the union to stop its actions.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said: “We’re hopeful that the Commission can step in at this point and end wide-scale industrial disruption”.
It followsbetween the Government and the union over pay increases.
Delays and industrial action on Sydney trains
As part of their industrial action, the RTBU has instructed workers to drive trains slower than normal.
This has contributed to widespread delays across Sydney and NSW.
In a press conference on Thursday, Minns said over 1,000 services are expected to be cancelled today.
(TfNSW) Secretary Josh Murray said around 1,900 trains were cancelled on Wednesday. This is 50% of the trains normally in operation.
Murray said there were 40% fewer passengers on trains this morning, while the metro saw a 44% increase in commuters. Buses also saw a 15% increase.
In a statement, TfNSW apologised for the “significant disruption” that occurred on Wednesday.
Only one of the 327 train services during the afternoon peak ran on time.
TfNSW said “critical safety work” not being completed, alongside issues from the storm on Wednesday night, worsened the delays.
Pay dispute
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The industrial action across Sydney stems from an ongoing pay dispute between the RTBU and the State Government.
The union asked the Government for a 32% pay increase over four years (8% per year).
In June, the RTBU was offered an 11% pay increase over three years.
Following multiple rounds of negotiations, the Government has offered a 14% pay rise over four years. It offered this with a 1% increase in superannuation contributions, for a total of 15%.
Another issue is that the RTBU has said the Government wants to remove a certain clause in their agreement. It’s a clause that allows workers to conduct certain risk assessments on particular trains.
This safety clause was negotiated with the previous NSW Government following widespread industrial action by the RTBU in 2022.
Fair Work
On Thursday, Minns said thewas taking the RTBU to the FWC to end the industrial action.
If the Commission rules in favour of the Government’s application, the industrial action on Sydney trains could come to an end or be suspended. The hearing is scheduled for 5pm on Thursday.
Maintenance
TfNSW said “critical safety work” around Homebush, Bondi, and Gosford has also impacted the disruptions.
The RTBU said the disruptions on Thursday “were caused by deliberate acts… by the engineering and maintenance branch of Sydney Trains who failed in their duty to maintain the network.”
The rail network has required further maintenance following intense storms and lightning across the state on Wednesday night.
