NSW train strike: Delays as rail workers walk off job over safety fears

Tens of thousands of commuters have been left stranded this morning after hundreds of Intercity services were cancelled by industrial action. SEE THEIR DEMANDS.

Tens of thousands of commuters have been left stranded and hundreds of intercity train services cancelled after the Rail, Tram and Bus Union ordered a 24-hour stoppage. 

RTBU NSW Secretary Alex Claassens said hundreds of rail workers walked off the job around 12am this morning, demanding the NSW Government stop plans for the New Intercity Fleet of trains hitting the tracks.

The RTBU called a 24 hour stoppage of  all Intercity train workers from the Central Coast and Newcastle, Blue Mountains and South Coast, with services starting or finishing at Central Station to attend urgent safety briefings at Mt Victoria, Lithgow, Newcastle, Wollongong, Gosford and Central. NewsLocal understands discussions resulted in an agreement between the union and government representatives — resulting in the cancellation of testing of New Intercity Fleet trains from going ahead.

Workers are currently walking back onto the job following the agreement being reached. 

Passengers wait for a regional service during delays at Central Station. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Joel Carrett

Hundreds of Intercity services were cancelled. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Joel Carrett

NSW secretary of the RTBU Alex Claassens.

 “I’ve been a train driver for most of my life and tonight the RTBU has decided it’s the last straw, Mr Claassens said. “This train cannot be safely tested on our network and NSW Trains employees will not put their safety and the safety of the community as risk. “It’s really disappointing that the Government have decided to put this lethal weapon out there on the network so we’re encouraging all of our intercity train commuters to reconsider their travel plans today.

NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance said “wildcat strikes” are not on as commuters deal with union caused chaos on the rail network.

“The snap strikes are not on our people and have been inconvenienced this morning and I’m really sorry that happened and it’s not on,” he said on 2GB.

“There is no doubt there is a change in the roles and responsibilities of the drivers. The unions themselves have put an 18 per cent pay increase on the table but we’re not going to agree to that. The first dispute we had was in relation to keeping the guards on the trains which I agreed to.

NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance hit out over the strikes. Pic Nathan Edwards

“We’re happy to work with them but wildcat strikes like this aren’t on. The guys need to keep coming to us and talking to us. I’m not going to put a train, which goes through incredible accreditation and testing, on the tracks unless it is safe.”

Last week, NewsLocal revealed an independent expert report raised concerns around proposed procedures for the new trains, declaring them unsafe.

On Monday, the union will hold a series of meetings with Trains NSW over safety concerns.

Central Coast rail commuters will ride in comfort when the new $2.3 billion new generation intercity trains are rolled out from 2019

However, A transport for NSW spokesman argued the new intercity fleet “is a new modern train with the latest state-of-the-art safety technology that is already used around the world”.

Announcements to commuters across Intercity lines blamed major cancellations and delays on “industrial action”, with Transport for NSW urging commuters to allow additional travel time.

Earlier this year, Mr Claassens raised concerns around the diversion of emergency calls from NIF trains to a call centre in Green Square, which was confirmed by Transport for NSW.

A Transport for NSW spokesman said the department was “incredibly disappointed at the unplanned industrial action taken by the RTBU and its members”.

“Transport for NSW apologises to customers affected today by these actions,” he said.

“Due to the unplanned action some inter city services will be impacted this morning, alternative transport is not possible with customers advised to either avoid travel or to make their own travel arrangements.

Inside the new trains.

“The majority of suburban Sydney trains services will operate as planned. Customers should monitor transport apps for up to date travel information.”

“Customers are advised to allow extra time and consider changing their journey to avoid delay and inconvenience,” he added.

Customers can plan their trip, via TransportNSW.info or Trip Planning apps.