Sydney train dispute continues as union and government refuse to back down on action
There is no end in sight to the chaos on Sydney’s train network as the state government and Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) continue their legal stand-off over pay negotiations, following a horror Friday for commuters.
Both parties will return to the Fair Work Commission at 11.15am on Saturday after they failed to come to an agreement on Friday, as the city’s train network was plunged into chaos when more than hundreds of drivers did not show up for work.
Industrial action from the rail union is causing disruptions across Sydney’s train network.Credit: Michael Ruffles
The action meant hundreds of trains across Sydney were delayed or cancelled, with zero per cent of services reported to be running on time. Sydney Trains chief executive Matt Longland said there had been “a very significant uptick in sick leave”.
Train services were still being sporadically cancelled on Saturday morning, with Sydney Trains urging passengers to avoid non-essential travel due to lengthy delays and cancellations.
Speaking on Saturday, the RTBU’s Toby Wearne claimed the government was “locking workers out and refusing them access to perform their duties”.
“We’re calling again on the NSW government to drop its aggressive action against rail workers and commuters.”
Loading
In the hearing on Saturday, the government will push for the commission to order the RTBU to halt industrial action, according to section 418 of the Fair Work Act, which seeks to stop action that is not protected by law.
On Friday, the Fair Work Commission both recommended the RTBU withdraw its industrial action, which it is yet to do, and that the state government withdraw its action to reduce or cut off the pay of drivers who drove trains slowly or did not show up for work.
