Rail union blinks on Opal cards shutdown; more strikes on way

More train strikes could be on the way with the rail union seemingly set to drop plans to shut off NSW’s Opal card system pending the outcome of a last-minute court hearing.

The rail union plans to shut off the state’s Opal card system at train stations across NSW has been dumped in the face of a Federal Court challenge by the state government.

But it has come with a warning that commuters could be hit with strikes instead, after the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) agreed to shelve its promise to blackout Opal card readers just 24 hours before the action was set to start.

It comes after the NSW Government took the union’s proposed action to the Federal Court, with the case leading the union to delay it’s Opal card shutdown.

RTBU NSW secretary Alex Claassens said the Federal Court action “is the most vicious attack by a government on its own workforce since the waterfront dispute”.

“I think we all know now that if we’re not allowed to shut down the Opal card readers, we will take more serious industrial action, which we’re allowed to do.”

The action was initiated by the NSW Government on Tuesday and includes claims for lost revenue set to be incurred by the Opal card shutdown.

Significantly, the claim by the government also includes damages for lost revenue after the union left gates open at stations in August and September — with industrial relations minister Damien Tudehope refusing to rule out pursuing the union for that money.

Mr Tudehope said the government’s view was that shutting the Opal card network down was “illegal action, and if it is illegal action, the union should be responsible for the damage which has been caused to the taxpayers of this state”.

Transport Minister David Elliott accused the union of ignoring “generosity” put forward in the ongoing negotiations for a pay and work agreement, stating “if it was the Last Supper they would have demanded chips”.

The matter will return to the Federal Court on Friday.

In a letter to members sent on Wednesday, the union conceded it would likely have to scrap its planned Opal card shutdown after the government lodged its court application.

“Members have attempted to pressure the government without inconveniencing commuters, but the government has thrown the kitchen sink at stopping that from occurring,” the letter stated.

“Therefore, it is likely that we will have to escalate our previously taken types of disruptive industrial action to drive us closer to an enterprise agreement.”

“We are hopeful that the Court will determine whether our Opal machines action can proceed before Thursday, but unfortunately that may not occur.

“So members should prepare for the action not to proceed on Thursday. However, keep an eye on your inboxes for other actions that will be notified to continue our push for an agreement.”