Prepare for noise: trains to sound whistle as part of protected industrial action

Trains across the state will sound their whistles today as part of protected industrial action being taken in response to management’s refusal to provide workers with fair wages and conditions.

The protected industrial action is the first in a long list of actions being taken over the coming month as part of Rail, Tram and Bus Union members’ action against the NSW Government’s refusal to provide them with a fair enterprise agreement.

Trains were stopped from sounding their whistles approximately five years ago in response to noise complaints.

Rail, Tram and Bus Union Secretary, Alex Claassens, said Sydney and NSW Trains management are refusing to budge in current negotiations on crucial issues such as safe cleaning of our trains.

“We’re in the process of negotiating a new enterprise agreement with Sydney and NSW Trains but it’s not going well, which is unbelievable given the incredible job workers have done to help the state throughout the Covid pandemic,” Mr Claassens said.

“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.

“All we’re asking for is 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.

“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.

“After the government heaped rail workers with praise for putting themselves and their 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.

“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 further action.”