Trains to stop midnight till 4am Thursday following NSW Govt’s refusal to commit to rail safety

Media release, 26 July 2022: The NSW Government’s continued insistence on playing politics at the expense of the safety of the travelling public and the working conditions of rail workers has forced rail workers to plan for further protected industrial action on Thursday. 

A four hour stoppage will take place on Thursday 28 July, beginning at midnight and running till 4am. (Midnight on Wednesday evening until 4am on Thursday morning)

Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) NSW Secretary, Alex Claassens said that while the timing of the action means the public impact will be minimised, it is disappointing rail workers have been forced to take further action at all.

“Rather than simply admitting that the NSW Government purchased yet another dodgy piece of transport infrastructure and getting on with the necessary job of fixing the trains to make them safe, some NSW Government Ministers seem insistent on turning this into some sort of political game at the expense of commuters and workers,” Mr Claassens said.

“The action we’re taking is designed to make a point to management and the NSW Government, not to impact commuters. However, the action will obviously stop trains during the early hours of Thursday, and potentially have a small impact in the hours before and after the action. It is disappointing that we’re being forced to take any action at all.

Mr Claassens said the NSW Government is still refusing to commit to fixing the New Intercity Fleet’s safety issues – which include, among numerous issues, children not being visible to train guards during crucial moments – without tying it to rail workers’ wages and conditions.

“The NSW Government is clearly attempting to compound two separate issues – the safety of the New Intercity Fleet and rail workers wages and conditions – in an attempt to win some sort of political game,” Mr Claassens said.

“We won’t be bullied into accepting an inferior enterprise agreement in order to get safe trains on our network. Commuters and workers deserve safe trains, and rail workers deserve fair wages and conditions.

“While it seems some NSW Government Ministers are enjoying causing this mess, rail workers are simply sick of having to force the State Government to deliver on one of its fundamental responsibilities – delivering safe public transport for the people of New South Wales.

“The NSW Government is telling us to trust them when they say the New Intercity Fleet is safe. This is the same government that has purchased ferries that don’t work, trams that fall apart and trains that don’t fit on the tracks. They can’t be trusted at all when it comes to transport.

“This is about keeping commuters safe and simply giving our essential rail workers the basic take-home pay and conditions they deserve.”

For further information on the safety issues with the New Intercity Fleet and the history of the NIF situation go to www.ourrightsourfight.com.au