Explainer: What’s behind Sydney’s rail chaos

Sydney’s trains are off the rails with both the government and the rail union each blaming the other for today’s chaos. So who’s fault is it and crucially, will the trains run tomorrow?

Sydney’s trains are off the rails with both the government and the rail union each blaming the other for today’s chaos.

So who’s fault is it and crucially, will the trains run tomorrow?

What has happened?

Transport for NSW cancelled all train services after midnight amid an ongoing dispute over industrial action by the Rail Tram and Bus Union (RTBU).

An agreement had been reached in the Fair Work Commission on Saturday between the government and the RTBU, but talks broke down in a further hearing late on Sunday night.

At the centre of the Sunday night Fair Work Commission dispute was the union’s plan to ban members from “altered working”.

The RTBU said they had agreed to work to any timetable the government chose, without “alterations” (for example, last minute changes to cover gaps in the roster).

The entrance to Town Hall Station today. Picture: NCA Newswire / Gaye Gerard

The Sunday night hearing failed to resolve the “altered working” dispute, leading to Transport for NSW to cancel trains after midnight.

The government claimed the RTBU didn’t attend the Sunday night Fair Work Commission hearing, and no-one was available to give the union’s lawyers instructions.

Mr Claassens said this was “rubbish”.

TfNSW boss Rob Sharp said the government was forced to cancel train operations on Monday because they would not have been able to run safely with the “altered working” ban in place.

Premier Dominic Perrottet did not directly say what would have made it unsafe to run the train network this morning, but said it was not possible to change the timetable so it could run safely.

Who’s fault is it?

Both sides are blaming each other for the midnight train cancellations. Transport for NSW said the cancellation was needed because trains couldn’t be run safely amid the ongoing industrial action.

“This was a difficult decision to make but we cannot and will not compromise on safety,” Mr Sharp said.

But RTBU Secretary Alex Claassens said his members are ready to work.

Transport Minister David Elliott accused the union of “political bastardry”.

“They were ready and waiting to crew the trains only to be told the trains aren’t running today. There is no impediment, only stubbornness on behalf of the NSW Government,” Mr Claassens said.

The union said it is not on strike.

Transport Minister David Elliott accused the union of “political bastardry” over its industrial action, saying the RTBU had “hijacked the city”.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said the industrial action that led to the cancellations was “politically motivated”.

“This is the Labor and the unions in bed with each other causing mass chaos across our city, that’s what this is about,” he said.

Blame for the debacle is also being placed on the Transport for NSW boss for failing to prevent the industrial action which sparked the cancellation.

Mr Elliott is understood to be furious at Mr Sharp, Transport for NSW boss, over the issue.

Earlier this month, the RTBU agreed to end an overtime ban for signallers after Mr Elliott stepped in to negotiate.

What happens now?

Sydney Trains and the Union are appearing before a Fair Work Commission hearing on Monday in an attempt to negotiate an agreement.

The hearing was adjourned until 11am, when both parties were set to appear before the Commission in private.

Mr Perrottet said he would continue talking to the unions about their demands, and was open to meeting with the RTBU about their demands.

The union is seeking a pay rise, assurances that train lines won’t be privatised, and for guarantees that changes will make workers “as safe or safer” than they are now.

Mr Perrottet said the train cancellation was an example of a “concerted campaign,” after Unions NSW Secretary Mark Morey told The Daily Telegraph that there could be rolling strikes if yearly pay rises are capped at 2.5 per cent.

“I will do whatever I can to ensure this doesn’t happen again,” Mr Perrottet said.

Train guards have a base salary of $75,000, but after allowances and overtime are added, the average salary last year was $115,000, according to government figures.

Drivers have a base salary of $85,000, with last year’s average salary after allowances and overtime coming in at $120,000.

Confused commuters at Wolli Creek today. Picture: 7News

Will the trains run tomorrow?

The stand-off was continuing on Monday with all sides waiting to see whether there would be a resolution in the Fair Work Commission hearing.