Urgent warning to commuters as trains in Sydney are delayed or canceled and 70 percent of fleet is out of action due to industrial action
Sydney commuters face a ‘very messy day’ as NSW rail union pushes ahead with industrial action
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Sydney commuters face a ‘very messy day’ as NSW’s railway union moves ahead with industrial action that will take out 70 percent of the train fleet.
The rail, tram and bus union has long been stuck with the Perrottet government over a new Korean-made Intercity fleet, which it says is unsafe.
While the government has indicated that it could be willing to spend $264 million to upgrade the fleet, the union says it has refused to sign an agreement confirming it will solve train drivers’ safety concerns.
Sydney commuters face ‘messy day’ as railway union continues union action (photo, commuters waiting for services)
“This will be the fourth time the government has offered to make the changes, announced the changes and then backtracked as a result of internal politics,” it said in a statement on Friday.
Rail, Tram and Busbond NSW secretary Alex Claassens said that elements of the amendment offer had been taken off the table during a consultation with the government on Thursday.
“I just don’t know where we’re going, but our members are determined,” he said.
“We will continue to fight to make these trains safe, and we will do everything we can to make that happen.”
Protected union actions scheduled for Friday continue, with drivers refusing to operate foreign or privately made trains.
This means that only 30 percent of Sydney Trains and NSW TrainLink services will be operated.
‘It will be a very messy day,’ said Mr Claassens.
“It will be a weekend schedule with other trains out.”
Transportation Secretary David Elliott said on Thursday the government had offered railroad workers $3,000 in bonuses.
“The railroad workers’ families could now get $3,000 in their accounts, instead of spending that money modifying perfectly good trains,” he said.
But Mr Classeens described the payments offered to railway workers to get the fleet on the rails without modification as “bribes”.
Commuters in Sydney have been advised to expect significant train delays and cancellations on Friday.
A ‘flow on effect’ is likely to affect people traveling to Sydney airport and on buses.
Tuesday’s strike as train drivers reduced train speed to 60 km/h.