For Sydneysiders’ sake, train unions need to take the pay deal

Commuter goodwill towards train staff fighting for more pay has long since evaporated — and it’s time for them to take the offer on the table, writes James O’Doherty.

Toby Warnes is fighting a losing battle in a war of attrition.

The Rail, Tram and Bus Union boss has already sparked fury among the travelling public, amid fresh chaos on Wednesday morning.

He now risks the anger of his own members, who face increasing public backlash, stagnant pay, and now docked wages.

Any goodwill the commuting public had for rail workers fighting for better pay has long evaporated.

With the rail network in meltdown, Warnes was trying to walk both sides of the street, arguing that the RTBU’s actions were relatively minor but still designed to have “some impact” on the network.

RTBU NSW secretary Toby Warnes and delegates outside the Fair Work Commission. Picture: NewsWire

“We always try to do things that ensure people can still get from A to B but have at least some impact to open the government’s eyes.”

In other words, the actions were designed to make commuters’ lives harder.

The main action taken by the RTBU on Wednesday was a go-slow, with trains driving 23km/h slower on sections of the track with a 80km/h speed limit.

That combined with an Electrical Trades Union ban on certain maintenance on Wednesday causing cascading delays and cancellations across the entire network.

Talkback radio was flooded with angry commuters, including one who reported being stuck on a packed train from the Blue Mountains for almost two hours.

By showing its hand and revealing the 15 per cent pay offer that is on the table for rail workers, the Minns government is trying to convince RTBU members that something is better than nothing.

The art of negotiating is knowing when to take a deal.

That time has come.

Originally published as For Sydneysiders’ sake, train unions need to take the pay deal