Expect delays: rail workers forced to take action

Commuters should prepare for delays on the rail networks this week, as workers are forced to take protected industrial action in response to an attack on safety and conditions and complete disrespect from the NSW Government.

Protected industrial action being taken this week, which is expected to impact services includes:

• A ban on overtime working (Wednesday 22 Sept)
• Work to rule (Thursday 24 Sept)
• Go slow: trains will reduce speed to 60km/hr (Saturday 25 Sept)
• Full network stoppage (9am-1pm Tuesday 28 Sept)

Rail, Tram and Bus (RTBU) NSW Secretary, Alex Claassens said workers at Sydney and NSW Trains are currently negotiating for a new enterprise agreement, however the NSW Government is refusing to come to the table with a fair offer, which has forced workers to take action.

“The very least workers deserve is the right to be safe at work and to be paid fairly for the work they do. At the moment, the NSW Government is refusing to provide either of those things for Sydney and NSW Trains workers,” Mr Claassens said.

“After the government heaped us with praise for putting ourselves and our families in harm’s way during covid in order to keep the community moving, we’ve now entered enterprise agreement negotiations and any notion of goodwill has completely disappeared. Workers are being completely disrespected by the NSW Government.

“Workers are fighting to prevent a drop in safety and hygiene standards on our trains, as both Sydney and NSW Trains are trying to cut cleaning jobs and force the dangerous New InterCity Fleet trains into service before its numerous safety issues are resolved.

“We have chosen our actions in an attempt to minimise the disruption to essential workers using our public transport networks, but there will no doubt be delays. No one wants to have to take action, but the government has forced us into this position.

“All we’re asking for is respect, and for safety and security for workers and the travelling public.  We can’t sit back and let the government put workers and the community at risk.”

“Our current enterprise agreement expired on the 1st of May and senior management are still not at the table.

“We’re hopeful that the government, via NSW and Sydney Trains management, will do the right thing and come to the table with a fair agreement so we don’t have to go down the path of action.”