‘We couldn’t leave Sydney stranded’: Minns on train deal

Premier Chris Minns says he wanted a lasting agreement with Sydney’s rail union but time ran out after averting a major train shutdown. The opposition has accused the government of a ‘weak and shambolic response’ to the crisis.

The Premier has acknowledged the progress made during two days of negotiations with the RTBU, which successfully averted a major train shutdown.

Trains are operating as normal after a last-minute agreement allowed limited 24-hour services to continue over the weekend.

In addition, the union has agreed to suspend work bans for the next two weeks.

Chris Minns said he would’ve liked to have reached a lasting agreement but time ran out.

“If we had a bit more time I would’ve liked to get a lasting deal on the table but whilst those negotiations were going to take place we couldn’t leave Sydney stranded for two days,” he told 2GB’s Ben Fordham.

NSW Premier Chris Minns reached an agreement with the RTBU. Picture: NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

“All sides got around the table and said ‘what can we do in the interim to minimise disruption in the state.’’’

But NSW Opposition leader Mark Speakman said it was a “weak and shambolic response” from the Minns government, saying the Premier made the move because he’s “too scared” of the union.

“This episode has just shown a weak and shambolic response from the Minns government,” he also said on 2GB.

“They said earlier in the week that 24/7 was not possible, now it is. They’ve caved into the union bosses on the demand for 24/7 services in the meantime.

“Chris Minns has had repeated invitations to condemn the union action, he point blank refuses to do so, he should be going to the Fair Work Commission to get orders to stop the industrial action but he’s too scared of his union masters who are funding and running the Labor Party.”

NSW Liberal Party leader Mark Speakman said it was a weak response from the Minns government. Picture: NewsWire / Max Mason-Hubers

The government agreed to run limited 24-hour services once the RTBU pulled work bans for the next two weeks.

Both sides will go into two weeks of intensive negotiations, but there is no guarantee the dispute will be resolved in that time.

Premier Chris Minns said an agreement was reached after “intense” negotiations over the past few days.

He said extra overnight services would run this weekend, giving commuters two weeks of “clear running”.

Transport Minister Jo Haylen and Chris Minns have been in intense negotiations with the union in a bid to keep the trains running this weekend. Picture: Gaye Gerard

However, the Premier warned that the industrial chaos was not over.

Mr Minns also refused to guarantee that the union would not threaten a strike two weeks from now. “In all honesty, I can’t. I can’t give that guarantee,” he said.

The temporary shutdown is off ... for now. Picture: David Swift

It came after a final attempt to stop a complete shutdown of the rail network began at 1.30pm on Thursday afternoon, with the Minns government meeting with the union at NSW parliament.

Despite the three-hour long meeting, the rail union did not budge on its wage demands of 32 per cent, instead forcing the government into an embarrassing backflip on 24-hour services.

RTBU NSW secretary Toby Warnes claimed the outcome was a win for the union.

“There’s been no movement on pay at this point in time, but we have agreed to a process over the next two weeks where we’re going to sit down in a room with Treasury, the ones who make the decisions about where money is allocated,” he said.

“Trains are going to be running 24 hours this weekend, as we requested, therefore there will be no shutdown of the rail network.”

There will be limited 24-hour services this weekend. Picture: Julian Andrews

But, while commuters were breathing a sigh of relief at the averted strike, Opposition Leader Mark Speakman said Mr Minns’ backflip to run 24-hour services was an embarrassment for the government.

“The Premier has egg all over his face — he’s shown no interest in this dispute over the last six months and he says intensive negotiations will now begin when they should have begun six months ago,” he said.

“Instead he kicks it down the road for another day.”

TRAIN CHAOS STARTS EARLY

Earlier, Metro services on the M1 line were running at reduced frequency between Epping and Cherrybrook due to overhead wiring repairs on Thursday morning, adding to the transport woes gripping Sydney commuters.

A frustrated commuter said Cherrybrook station was “absolute chaos.”

“Absolute chaos at Cherrybrook. We’ve been waiting 10 minutes and had to change platforms twice and now we’re told we have to change again at Epping,” he said.

Transport acting coordinator general Craig Moran said limited buses were taking passengers between the two stations.

“People can still go all the way from Tallawong to Sydenham, they’ll just need to change Metro trains a couple of times to complete their journey,” he told 2GB’s Ben Fordham.

“We’ve also arranged some buses up in that area to supplement as well.

Utter confusion:The scene at Epping Metro station before 7am on Thursday. Picture: Supplied

Trains between Tallawong and Cherrybrook and Epping and Sydenham were unaffected.

Speaking on ABC on Thursday morning, Sydney Trains chief executive Matt Longman acknowledged the chaos Sydney could face if union delegates and the government failed to reach an agreement.

“We’re asking passengers across Sydney to plan for the worst if trains aren’t operating tomorrow,” he said.

“A million people each day rely on our services across Sydney and industrial action of this scale would be very, very inconvenient.

“Avoid any unnecessary travel. Roads will be very busy. Other public transport modes will be busy. It will be a very difficult period for commuters.”

It comes after commuters had an early taste of rail chaos on Wednesday afternoon, with operational issues, urgent track repairs and protected industrial action resulting in service reductions.

A notice on the Transport for NSW website attached to every train line in Sydney on Wednesday afternoon revealed there was protected industrial action already unfolding separate from the complete shutdown flagged for Friday and Saturday.

It was already chaotic at Cherrybrook station at 5.54am on Thursday. Picture: Supplied

“There are some service reductions and cancelled services on the Sydney Trains Intercity Network today which will continue through the weekend, due to protected industrial action,” the statement read.

“At this stage the notified bans in place by the union will bring the heavy rail network to a shutdown on Friday, Saturday, and through to the morning of Sunday.

“This will impact passengers including those travelling to and from Newcastle, The Central Coast, the Blue Mountains, the Southern Highlands, and the Illawarra.”

Metro services on the M1 line were running at reduced frequency between Epping and Cherrybrook.

Customers also suffered delays on the T4 Eastern Suburbs and Illawarra line due to urgent train repairs at Bondi Junction earlier on Wednesday, with Sydney Trains saying to allow extra travel time.

“There are train delays on the T4 eastern suburbs and Illawarra line due to an urgent train repair at Bondi Junction earlier,” a Transport for NSW spokesman said.

“Trains are now running but allow extra travel time due to previous delays.”

Services heading away from the city were delayed up to 30 minutes, with customers travelling between Sydenham and Martin Place advised to catch the Metro instead.

Trains were delayed for up to 25 minutes on the Eastern Suburbs and Illawarra line.

“Trains between Central and Edgecliff going to Bondi Junction may stop on platforms or between stations for longer than normal while the incident is ongoing,” a notice read.

“Stops and platforms may change at short notice. Trips may take longer than usual.”

Multiple services heading from Sydney’s west and northwest were also delayed due to earlier urgent track repairs between Springwood and Lithgow.

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