Government backflips on commitment to fix trains

Media release, 30 June 2022: Govt refuses to sign legally binding agreement to fix trains

The NSW Government has today refused to sign an agreement confirming it will fix the safety issues on the New Intercity Fleet. The refusal to sign the agreement has meant the protected industrial action planned for Friday 1 July will continue as planned.

Following the NSW Government’s announcement yesterday that it would make the changes required to ensure the safety of commuters on the New Intercity Fleet, the Rail Tram and Bus Union today sought assurances from the Government that it was in fact committed to the alterations to the NIF. However, the Government refused to sign the simple agreement.

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.

Mr Claassens said Friday’s protected action – which will see rail workers refuse to operate foreign or privately made trains – will not stop trains from running but will see service disruption which means a timetable similar to that run on weekends will have to be put in place.

“We have done everything in our power to reach an agreement on the NIF today, but unfortunately the NSW Government has continued to play its internal political games,” Mr Claassens said.

“It is great that the government has announced the changes to benefit the community, but it has done this four times before and reneged each time. If the government is serious, it will sign the document and get on with getting this train on the tracks.

“We never want to inconvenience commuters. This whole dispute is to ensure commuters get the safe trains they deserve. However, the NSW Government’s continued political game playing means that we’ve been left with no choice.” Mr Claassens said the RTBU is hopeful the NSW Government will continue to negotiate in good faith in order to reach an agreement that protects safety and fair working conditions.