Strange twist in latest train strike

The powerful train workers union will run services around-the-clock for four days in Sydney in its latest salvo with the NSW Government over pay and conditions for the rail workforce.

The Rail, Tram, and Bus Union, or RTBU, said it had notified management of intentions to launch protected industrial action beginning on November 14, after earlier threatening strikes.

RTBU NSW Secretary Toby Warnes said the industrial action was not aimed at inconveniencing commuters, and that the festive period was the “perfect time for this initiative”.

“The overwhelming feedback from the public is that they want 24-hour services on the weekend, not just to go between the CBD and inner suburbs but for those travelling further including Gosford and Wollongong,” he said.

“We want to encourage more people to use public transport and if we can do that while undertaking industrial action, that’s a win for everyone … it’s a pity it has taken industrial action to bring the government along for the ride.”

Mr Warnes said NSW already had a 24-hour public transport system, namely RTBU members who would be preparing trains and manning the state’s metro and regional stations.

“This is about running services in the early hours for people to get home from a concert, a theatre show … without having to worry that they will miss the last train service,” he said.

At the heart of the dispute is the union’s Enterprise Agreement, which Mr Warne said expired six months ago before accusing the NSW Government of “dragging its heels” to respond to calls for better pay and conditions.

“It’s unacceptable that we have gotten to this point- our members’ pay has effectively gone backwards while government and management twiddle their thumbs and constantly delay progress on the EA,” he said.

“All we’re asking is for the Transport Minister and the NSW Government to properly engage in the bargaining process, work through the log of claims with the RTBU and finalise the Agreement so workers can continue to keep public transport on track on NSW.”

Sydney’s transport network was thrown into disarray in September, when the light rail network was shut down for 24 hours after failed negotiation with French transport giant Transdev, the operator of Sydney’s light rail network.

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