The long-running dispute between the rail union and the NSW government is showing no signs of reaching a resolution. In latest news, Opal card readers are set to shut down as early as this week after union workers voted overwhelmingly in support of the action. This means commuters can travel for free across Sydney potentially costing the government millions of dollars.
The Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) NSW has confirmed that opal card readers will be switched off from Thursday, October 20. They will remain switched off from 3pm to 7pm every day for an ‘indefinite’ period of time.
“Rail workers have been committed to providing workers with free travel because, frankly, they deserve it after everything the NSW government has put them through,” RTBU Secretary Alex Claassens said on Monday.
He added that the move was designed specifically to put pressure on NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet and his coalition government.
“Everybody is fed up with the ongoing rail dispute, but we’ve no choice but to continue to do whatever it takes for as long as it takes to force the NSW Government to provide safe trains for commuters and fair wages and conditions for workers,” Claassens added.
Pay, worker conditions and concerns over the New Intercity Fleet are some reasons the union and the state government have locked horns over the last few months.
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