Rail talks: Further work still needed

Media release, Friday 19 January

Rail talks: Further work still needed  

 The Rail, Tram and Bus Union, Unions NSW, and the combined rail union Secretaries, met with the Transport Minister, Andrew Constance, today in another attempt to further negotiations for a fair enterprise agreement for Sydney and NSW Trains workers.

Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) NSW Secretary, Alex Claassens said that while the meeting was constructive, there is still further to go in negotiations.

“Today’s discussions were positive, but there’s still more work to do,” Mr Claassens said.

“All parties have agreed to continue to work over the weekend and to meet again on Monday in an attempt to resolve this dispute.

“We’ve been doing everything we can to try and resolve this issue for months now, and it’s about time the Minister finally come to the table in an attempt to negotiate the genuine and reasonable agreement workers deserve.

“While the discussions today were positive, we don’t yet have an offer on the table that will provide workers with the fair wages and conditions they deserve. As a result, the overtime ban scheduled to begin on Thursday 25 January and the 24-hour stoppage planned for Monday 29 January, at this stage, will still go ahead.

“That said, we’re very hopeful that the Minister will come to the table with a fair and reasonable offer that can be put to the workers before then so we don’t have to go down that path.

Worker action currently underway 

“Commuters using the rail network today will see workers wearing union apparel and badges in a public display of our commitment to protecting our rail network and our working conditions.

“Hopefully this is as far as our industrial action has to go. We’re hopeful a fair offer will be put on the table before we have to take any further actions.”