Sydney’s rail network will come to a complete halt from Thursday to Sunday after negotiations between the NSW government and a transport union fell apart.
The Rail Tram and Bus Union (RBTU) rejected an offer from the Labor government to make one line from Strathfield to Hornsby run for 24-hours a day.
The RBTU had demanded 24-hour train lines as a tactic in its wage dispute with the state.
The government initially agreed, but this week told the RTBU only a 24-hour service between Hornsby and Strathfield would be possible.
NSW’s Transport Minister Jo Haylen said the union rejected this compromise during a meeting on Tuesday and would launch a strike.
‘We have respectfully asked the unions to withdraw these bans,’ Ms Haylen said. ‘Unfortunately, they are yet to do so.
‘These bans make it harder and harder for us to operate our train network, and it does mean that passengers should expect disruption later this week.
‘That could involve a complete stoppage of operations across the rail network.’
Sydney’s rail network will come to a complete halt from Thursday to Sunday after negotiations between the NSW government and a transport union fell apart. (Town Hall station pictured)
Ms Haylen said said it would cause ‘major disruption for millions of train passengers’.
‘This will cause significant disruption to people’s lives and to the operation of our city.’
Commuters have been urged to avoid peak travel times on those days.
Transport for NSW is preparing to use replacement services, including buses for major events over the weekend and school services.
The RTBU has been engaged in a six-month stand-off with the NSW government in a bid to get higher pay and better conditions.
The union is demanding a 32 per cent pay rise over four years, which is an 8 per cent pay rise per year, and a 35-hour working week.
But the state government has offered rail workers a vastly lower rise of 9.5 per cent pay over three years.
Sydney Trains chief executive Matt Longland said the strike would cause chaos across the network, which carries 1million people per day.
‘At this point we have to prepare for no train services,’ he said.
The Rail Tram and Bus Union rejected an offer from the Labor government to make one line from Strathfield to Hornsby run for 24-hours a day. Central Station is pictured
Among those affected will be the 70,000 fans of American rock band Pearl Jam (pictured) heading to Sydney Olympic Park on Thursday and Saturday nights
‘I’m asking people to think about travelling well outside the peak, to make alternative arrangements, to plan well ahead.’
He said Sydney Trains had asked Sydney Metro to put on extra services on Thursday and Friday before the Metro closes this weekend for maintenance.
‘That will be an additional factor as we look towards the weekend that we will not have Metro services to augment a stoppage at Sydney Trains,’ he said.
Among those affected will be the estimated 70,000 fans of American rock band Pearl Jam heading to Sydney Olympic Park on Thursday and Saturday nights.
Mr Longland said the concertgoers should make alternative travel plans.
‘We will have no major event buses at this stage, we will reply on car parks, carpooling and ride share services,’ he said.
More to come…
