‘Likely to get worse’: More than 50 routes affected in Sydney rail strikes

Strikes are threatening to plunge holiday travel plans into chaos, as one major airport braces for possibly record-breaking numbers.

More than 50 routes have been affected amid industrial action by Sydney’s Rail, Tram and Bus Union. Picture: NewsWire / David Swift

Commuters have been warned of continued delays and cancellations across the Sydney rail network, with disruptions “likely to get worse” as more than 50 routes have been affected amid pay disputes with Sydney’s Rail, Tram and Bus Union.

More than 50 transport routes have been affected across the Sydney rail network, including T1, T2, T3, T4, T7, T8 and T9 services.

NSW Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said the state is “being hit hard” by the union’s action on Thursday and warned disruptions were “likely to get worse”.

“Trains are running but not to timetable, so we need passengers to (check travel apps),” Ms Haylen said on 2GB Friday morning.

“I want to apologise to passengers today who are going to experience delays and cancellations as a result of these actions on the train network.

“I want people to know that we’re doing everything we possibly can.

“We will continue to experience delays and cancellations (and) it’s likely to get worse throughout the day.”

More than 50 routes have been affected amid industrial action by Sydney’s Rail, Tram and Bus Union. Picture: NewsWire / David Swift

The Rail, Tram, and Bus Union had been ordered to halt industrial action over protracted negotiations with the government for better pay and 24-hour train services after an 11th hour injunction earlier this month.

That order was dismissed by a judge in the Federal Court on Thursday, paving the way for the RTBU to “immediately recommence” industrial action across Sydney, according to NSW secretary Toby Warnes.

NSW Minister for Transport Jo Haylen apologised to commuters. Picture: NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

The shock ruling came just days after the RTBU, and a number of other rail unions, voted in favour of further protected action to take place from December 28, threatening to throw into chaos travel over New Years.

The union has previously put forward plans for gradual reductions in the number of kilometres its members would travel at work, 24-hour work bans, as well as limits on the speed at which the trains travel.

Ms Haylen on Friday said the government had made “very reasonable offers to the union”, but that it appeared they only wanted to talk “if you agree with them”.

“We can’t … 32 per cent over four years, eight per cent a year, we cannot afford that,” Ms Haylen said.

‘BUSIEST DAY ON RECORD’ AT AIRPORT

Melbourne Airport’s international terminal has anticipated its “busiest day on record” on Friday as people flock to travel ahead of the holidays.

A Melbourne Airport spokesperson said about 46,000 passengers were expected to go through the international terminal on Friday, with 115,000 through the entire airport.

“It’ll probably be our busiest day of the whole travel holiday period and probably our busiest day on record for the international terminal,” the spokesperson said.

Melbourne Airport’s international terminal is set to experience its ‘busiest day on record’. Picture: NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

“All international flights are going out full and most of domestic flights as well, so it’s a busy day.”

Brisbane Airport spokesperson Peter Doherty said Friday was the “busiest day” in the international terminal since before the pandemic.

About 23,000 people are expected to pass through the international terminal on Friday while 52,000 are expected through the domestic terminal.

“It’s a huge number, (a) really exciting number,” Mr Doherty said.

Mr Doherty said there were more people flying into Brisbane than flying out of the city on Friday in terms of domestic travel.

“Queensland remains that number one national domestic destination for holidays - we know when Brisbane Airport is busy, Queensland’s tourism industry is busy,” he said.

Brisbane Airport is also set for its busiest day since before the pandemic in the international terminal on Friday. Picture: NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

Speaking to international travel, Mr Doherty said travel to the US is at 180 per cent of pre-pandemic levels following the recent launch of new direct services between Brisbane and Los Angeles with Delta Air Lines and Dallas-Fort Worth with American Airlines.

Sydney Airport has also forecast nearly six million passengers during the Christmas and new year period, which would make it the busiest year since 2019.

Sydney Airport chief executive officer Scott Charlton earlier said there would be plenty of staff on deck to ensure smooth travel.

“We’ve increased staffing levels and are activating overflow drop-off zones at the terminals to help passengers get into the terminals faster,” Mr Charlton said.

“We strongly encourage passengers to plan ahead and allow ample time for their journey.”

QANTAS STRIKES TO CONTINUE OVER HOLIDAYS

The travel blitz comes as Qantas maintenance line workers are set to walk off the job on Friday as part of ongoing enterprise agreement negotiations.

Similar industrial action took place last Friday, with Qantas saying in a statement that there was “no impact to customers as a result”.

An Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AUWU) spokesperson said Qantas managers and CEOs “continue to be paid offensive bonuses and record pay rises” in a statement on behalf of the Qantas Engineers’ Alliance.

Qantas maintenance line workers are set to walk off the job on Friday. Picture: NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

“We deliver planes safely and on time for Qantas so that commuters can fly on time and arrive safely every single time,” the spokesperson said.

“After consecutive years of Qantas exploiting our skills and our labour, as Qantas managers and CEOs continue to be paid offensive bonuses and record pay rises, our members’ industrial action aims to impact on Qantas’s operations.

“The workers are fed up with not getting a taste of the pie, let alone a fair slice.”

The spokesperson thanked the public for their support and confirmed members have decided to take further industrial action over the holiday period.

“We hope that Qantas returns to the bargaining table to resolve our pay claim as soon as possible to avoid any further disruption to flights over this festive period,” the spokesperson said.

A Qantas spokesperson on Thursday said it was “disappointing to see the unions targeting people travelling to see loved ones at this time of year.”

“We’re offering our engineers a competitive package including pay rises, upskilling and career progression that will enable them to earn significantly more over the next few years,” the spokesperson said.

Originally published as ‘Likely to get worse’: More than 50 routes affected in Sydney rail strikes