What was looking likely to be the worst rail shutdown in Sydney’s history was averted today, after planned strike action across the weekend was averted by last-minute crisis talks. Industrial action by the Rail Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) had been planned from 4.15am on Friday until 6am on Sunday, which would have disrupted Sydney’s inter-city and suburban train services. However, after talks with the NSW government today, the union has dropped the action in exchange for running limited 24-hour train services this weekend.
Why was the industrial action planned?
The RTBU had issued a warning to the NSW government, to either operate all rail lines continuously from Friday to Sunday or face a complete shutdown. The government agreed to the proposal last weekend but stated this would not be feasible this week. Instead, they suggested a limited 24-hour service between Hornsby and Strathfield.
“If we continue to try and run 24-hour services over the weekend that fact is that it will eventually lead to the failure of our rail network,” NSW Transport Minister Jo Haylen said at the time. She also added that Sydneysiders should brace for significant disruptions when the initial four-day shutdown was announced, given the city’s rail network serves 1 million passengers daily.
Though the 24 hour services were the main source of the dispute which led to the planned action, the union is also pushing for an improved pay offer from the NSW government, who have offered an 11% rise over the next three years.
What happens next?
The NSW government has agreed to run as many 24-hour trains as they can over the weekend, starting from Thursday, November 21. The long-term disagreement is yet to be solved, but this weekend’s agreement allows for two weeks of talks to begin in order to find a long-term solution.
NSW Premier Chris Minns stated that “Intensive bargaining will begin between the government and unions in NSW over the next two weeks with a view from all sides to get a long-term deal across the unions that cover rail in the state that will last multiple years”.
Meanwhile, the secretary of the RTBU in NSW, Toby Warnes, stated that “The premier’s assistance today got us to a point where trains are going to be running 24-hours this weekend as we requested”, and expressed confidence that a long-term agreement, which the union hopes will include a meaningful pay rise for its members, can be found.
Previously, Sydney enjoyed free light rail services in response to the uncertainty, but the NSW government continues to express concerns over the impact a 24 hour service will have on the rail network.