Train strike threatens to shut down all T3 train services

All trains services along the T3 line will be cancelled from next weekend should negotiations fail between the rail union and the Minns government.

People trying to get into the CBD from Sydney’s southwest suburbs will face major disruptions with the rail union planning to shut down all train services along the T3 line from next weekend.

The Rail, Tram and Bus Union began rolling industrial action today after negotiations with the Minns government failed on Tuesday afternoon.

The Minns government and the RTBU have commenced negotiations again today, however, the union has warned that if their terms are not met, their members will not work on the T3 line indefinitely from September 30, meaning no trains will run along the line at all.

This coincides with the planned shutdown of the T3 line from Bankstown to Sydenham next Saturday, with the buses replacing trains along that section of the line as it is converted for Metro.

The union, however, is now threatening to shut down all trains along the whole line, preventing people travelling from Cabramatta and Regents Park and those all along the line from catching the train.

This means, should the government and union not come to an agreement before next weekend, rail replacement buses will need to be run up the entirety of the line, instead of just between Bankstown and Sydenham station during the Metro conversion.

The rail union is planning to shut down all train services on the T3 line next weekend as part of rolling industrial action protesting the line’s Metro conversion. Picture: NewsWire / Max Mason-Hubers

The potential need for even more buses up the T3 line is a substantial concern for the NSW government, after they undertook a massive recruitment drive of 200 bus drivers for the planned shutdown amid a shortage of drivers. While the government has filled all the positions, a shut down of the entire line would likely require even more drivers.

A spokesperson for Transport Minister Jo Haylen confirmed the industrial action could have an impact of the conversion of the T3 line to Metro and said negotiations would continue with the union.

This comes as The Daily Telegraph revealed sports fans can expect a tough time getting to multiple football finals being held across Sydney this weekend, including the NRL semi-finals at Allianz stadium, with industrial action expected to prevent additional train services from operating.

Train services will be disrupted this weekend, with the union refusing to work to any timetable changes if an agreement is not reached. This means additional services that would have helped fans get to the SCG for the Swan’s AFL preliminary final on Friday night at the same time Cronulla plays North Queensland in the NRL semi-final next door will likely be cancelled.

Saturday crowds going to Allianz for the NRL and to Accor Stadium at Homebush for Australia’s rugby Test against New Zealand will also be affected.

A Transport for NSW spokesperson said alternate train service plans were being drawn up to help commuters to major events this weekend and would be announced later this week. “This industrial action could cause train services to be cancelled at short notice and impact the ability to respond to operational incidents on the rail network,” the spokesperson said. “In addition, weekend rail services may operate at lower frequency and there may be impacts on planned track work and special event transport services.”

The RTBU has demanded that the government set a flat rate of 50 cents for all opal fares across the city after a similar announcement from the Queensland government last week.

Train services will be disrupted from Wednesday as the rail union prepares rolling strikes to protest the southwest Metro. Picture: NewsWire / Max Mason-Hubers

The demand is part of a suite of requests made by the union including that trains continue to run on the T3 line from Sydenham to Bankstown, instead of being converted into a Metro. The RTBU has been a vocal opponent of the southwest Metro line, despite the overwhelming success of the new Sydney Metro.

The union is also requesting a 32 per cent pay rise over four years and a cut to the working week to 35 hours, without a reduction in pay.

This comes despite the industrial umpire in 2023 ruling that rail workers receive a 5.5 per cent pay rise over two years, as well as one off-payment of $4500.

The ruling ended a dispute between the rail union and the former Coalition government, which severely disrupted Sydney’s rail network in 2022.

The RTBU will begin its suite of actions from midnight to continue indefinitely.

Transport Minister Jo Haylen said that the industrial action would impact passenger services. Picture: NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

Transport Minister Jo Haylen said negotiations would continue with the union on Wednesday.

“We are hopeful of an agreement to remove the bans currently notified by the RTBU that impact services including for special events including the multiple sporting events happening this weekend,” she said.

As part of the action union members will not work on any changed timetable and will be banned from doing any work on the Bankstown line when the section to be converted to a Metro line shuts at the end of this month. Signals will also not be cleared on the line if it shuts.

Premier Chris Minns has said he would not accept union demands opal fares be reduced to 50 cents. Picture: NewsWire / Max Mason-Hubers

Infrastructure workers will also refuse to perform work on the lines if the temperature is higher than 30 degrees and there will also be a ban on removing dead animals from the tracks and training new trainees for the rail operations centre.

RTBU NSW secretary Toby Warnes said the union would call off the industrial action if the Minns government agreed to provide 50 cent fares. The union intends to wedge the government on this issue as it gears up to bargain over its pay increase demands later this year.

“We’re being forced to take action because our transport system has been neglected for over a decade and unfortunately rather than fix the mess, this current government is continuing to attack our transport system and its workers just like the previous government,” Mr Warnes said.

Premier Chris Minns ruled out 50 cent fares, saying it would only pass the cost onto taxpayers.

“Someone will have to pay for it so either it will be at the farebox or it will go on people’s tax bill and obviously if we could run it for free we would but ultimately the bill has to be sent to somebody,” he said.