Sydney commuters could be set for more train chaos amid union fury

With Sydney commuters possibly set for more train chaos due to industrial action, the government has offered an enhanced agreement for unions to take to workers. Read how the action on trains may affect you and have your say.

The last day of the school term will be a headache for commuters as the rail union refuses to operate foreign-made trains next Friday, whild undergoing other industrial action during the week.

The disruptions to the rail network are still likely to go ahead despite a hastily organised meeting between the rail union and NSW ministers. 

At the emergency meeting with the rail union on Friday afternoon the government offered Sydney Trains and NSW TrainLink employees terms of new enterprise agreements in an attempt to stop industrial action.

The offer included enhanced conditions and allowances and additional leave benefits, a statement from Minister Tudehope said.

The government also offered higher wages for “productivity benefits” to the train fleet, meaning operating the new intercity fleet which the union refuses to drive citing safety concerns.

“Having engaged in good faith bargaining and presented an offer to Union officials the Government has requested that industrial action be withdrawn during a period of consultation with unions and employees across Sydney Trains and NSW TrainLink,” the statement said.

At 5pm on Friday Transport Minister David Elliott and Employee Relations Minister Damien

 The RTBU will take the offer to members but it is understood the union is likely to continue their industrial action plans, describing the offer as a “bribe”.

It comes after the Rail, Tram and Bus Union’s fury over a cancelled meeting with transport officials and ministers on Friday morning.

The widespread industrial action will impact the network across Sydney next week, but most important to commuters will be a complete stop work on all foreign made trains next Friday, lasting for 24 hours.

On Tuesday train operators will take a “go slow” action for 24 hours, refusing to drive trains above 60km/h.

The union has been fighting the NSW Government for modifications to the new intercity train fleet after claims the trains are unsafe to operate.

“It’s beyond disappointing that the NSW Government is continuing to play political games at the expense of workers and commuters,” RTBU Secretary Alex Claassens said.

“Rail workers have acted in good faith throughout this whole saga. All we want is for the government to deliver on the basic safety and workforce issues that we’ve been talking about for many months.”

RTBU Secretry Alex Claassens says the government is playing “political games”. Picture: Tim Pascoe

“We never want to have to take industrial action, but the NSW Government – in particular some Ministers – seem intent on forcing us into that position, no matter what the impact on commuters and workers.

“Rail safety is not a game for us, but it seems like it is for some Ministers within the NSW Government.”

On Wednesday the rail union will also start an indefinite ban on train drivers working from the Rail Operations Centre and on Thursday will stop drivers from moving around the rail network, meaning they will only drive trains from their current depot.

From Thursday the union will also start an indefinite ban on work associated with the Sydney Metro.