New intercity train rollout overshadowed by potential rail strikes

The long-awaited new intercity fleet will hit the tracks this Tuesday after a four-year delay. Yet they could be put straight back in the shed as time runs out for the NSW government to prevent rail workers striking this weekend.

Passengers might only be able to enjoy Sydney’s long-awaited new intercity trains for three days if a looming train network shutdown goes ahead this weekend, with Premier Chris Minns admitting on Monday he could not guarantee that trains would run.

Mr Minns admitted the government was not close to a wage deal with the rail unions, despite the clock ticking as a two-week amnesty period ends on Thursday evening.

If a deal is not reached by Thursday, unions have once again threatened a full shutdown of the rail network both in Sydney and intercity.

“I can’t promise a breakthrough,” said on Monday.

“It would be irresponsible of me to say we’re on the cusp of announcing it – we’re not.

“Whilst we want to get an agreement with the union we can’t do it at any cost because the cost will eventually be born somehow by taxpayers in the state.”.

The clock is ticking on the Minns government to end a bitter wage dispute with the rail union, as a two-week amnesty ends this Friday. The Premier said he had called union leaders on the phone every day, with meetings commencing at 9am every morning this week.

Should a wage agreement not be reached by Thursday evening, Sydneysiders will again face the threat of a complete shutdown of the train network from Friday to Sunday morning.

The Minns government struck an 11th hour deal with the rail union last month, preventing a complete shutdown of the network in return for an intense two-week period to negotiate on the union’s wage claims.

The Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) is demanding the government give all rail workers a 32 per cent pay rise over four years and a 35-hour work week, down from 38 hours without any reduction in pay.

One of the new Mariyung intercity trains set to take passengers this Tuesday. Picture: NewsWire / Simon Bullard.

The Daily Telegraph revealed last month, the union’s wage demands would cost an additional $2 billion to the NSW budget.

The looming shutdown comes as two new South-Korean built trains finally begin passenger service on the Newcastle and Central Coast line on Tuesday, more than four years after they arrived in NSW. Another 13 new Mariyung trains will be rolled out along the line after further safety testing.

The $4 billion fleet was stuck in limbo for four years due to a prolonged dispute between the NSW government and the RTBU over safety concerns. Up until this week the trains have been languishing unused in sheds on The Central Coast since they arrived in 2019.

At the behest of the union, modifications were made to the CCTV system and passenger door controls, as well as additional staffing.

Yet despite the long wait for the new Mariyung fleet, uncertainty looms as to whether they’ll be grounded as soon as they hit the tracks.

Transport Minister Jo Haylen during the launch the new Intercity fleet at Central Station. Picture: NewsWire / Simon Bullard.

Transport Minister Jo Haylen said that while there had been no agreement with the union over its wage demands she was hopeful there would not be a shutdown this Friday and Saturday.

“We’ve had really constructive conversations,” she said.

“I’m confident that those conversations will continue in the same way this week and I’m hopeful we will reach an outcome very soon.”

Opposition Transport spokeswoman Natalie Ward said the union negotiations were again days away from falling through.

“Once again we’re 72 hours away from potential chaos on our rail lines,” she said.

“It is unfair to commuters and unacceptable that we keep leaping from negotiation to negotiation.

“It’s minutes to midnight yet again with no certainty for commuters as we head into the busiest time of the year.”

RTBU NSW secretary Toby Warnes said the union hoped to reach an agreement before Friday.

“The union is putting all of its effort into reaching an agreement and is hopeful that Transport for NSW is doing the same,” he said.

“The RTBU is open to negotiating around the clock this week to ensure a deal is made on an enterprise agreement that gives rail workers fair pay and conditions.”

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