James O’Doherty: Who is in control of train strike action?

ANALYSIS: The strike action crippling Sydney’s rail network has become a runaway freight train that rail union boss Toby Warnes is unwilling, or unable, to stop, writes James O’Doherty.

The strike action crippling Sydney’s rail network has become a runaway freight train that rail union boss Toby Warnes is unwilling, or unable, to stop.

The Rail, Tram and Bus union secretary on Friday was simultaneously trying to distance himself from delegates who told comrades to “f..k the network up” and send the trains into “meltdown”, while claiming that he had not “lost control” of his members.

He cannot have it both ways.

“We didn’t issue any formal direction to our members to do anything,” Warnes told reporters on Friday.

In reality, the RTBU leadership told members they could “simply not go to work”.

NSW Rail, Tram and Bus Union secretary, Toby Warnes and other organisers outside the Fair Work Commission on Friday. Picture: Justin Lloyd

Warnes also refused to apologise for one union convener suggesting staff “f..k the network up” and send throw commuters into chaos.

“I don’t tell my members what to do,” he said.

Part of the text to RTBU members, signed by convenor Adam Doyle. Picture: Supplied

Former minister David Elliott has taken aim at the union. Picture: Richard Dobson

The angry outbursts came after the government repeated its reasonable threat to withhold pay from workers who were not doing their jobs.

Friday’s chaos, which left commuters stranded for hours

and some train lines not running at all, came after the union threw yet another spanner in the works.

Whenever negotiators get close to a deal, a new hurdle is created.

This time, union leaders demanded a higher pay boost in the third year of their agreement.

They claimed that could be paid for by forgoing a $4,500 “one-off” payment that was part of their last wages agreement.

Government officials were blindsided by the claim, because the $4,500 “one-off” payment was never supposed to be repeated.

“The $4500 was simply a ‘one off’ and therefore, by definition, a single payment,” said former minister David Elliott, who negotiated that deal.

“If these blokes were at the Last Supper they would have demanded a side order of chips,” Elliott added.

Premier Chris Minns cannot avoid criticism for the industrial chaos that has eroded all faith in the heavy rail network; the RTBU has been emboldened to demand bigger pay rises after the wages cap was removed.

But when an entire network can be crippled by union workers deciding not to show up, Warnes needs to cop the blame.

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