Commuters set for more train delays on Friday after wage negotiations break down

Commuters need to brace themselves for delays on the Sydney rail network this morning after pay negotiations between the Minns government and the rail union stalled late last night.

Commuters could face more pain on the Sydney rail network on Friday morning after pay deals between the Minns government and the rail union fell through late on Thursday evening.

Rail workers will run trains 23km slower than the speed limit on Friday after negotiations went late into Thursday evening, with both sides failing to reach an agreement.

The move is the latest in a bitter pay dispute between the Minns government and the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU), which is demanding a 32 per cent pay rise over four years.

Commuters could face more pain on the Sydney rail network, with the union running trains under the speed limit. Picture: Ted Lamb

RTBU NSW secretary Toby Warnes warned commuters to prepare for delays on Friday morning and “direct their anger at the NSW government for the uncertainty”.

He said the government confirmed plans to “lock out workers” from midnight, meaning that any employee who engages with the train “go-slow” will have their pay docked.

RTBU NSW Secretary Toby Warnes Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

“Rail workers are ready to come to work, but the NSW government’s highly unusual legal tactics and lockout threats mean they lose a whole day’s pay if they have to slow down on any sections of the track at all,” he said.

“It’s up to the government how big an impact it wants this small action to have on commuters on Friday.

“We asked the government to rescind its lockout notices to ensure services ran smoothly on Friday, but unfortunately they refused. We hope that the NSW Government doesn’t choose to blow this up and cause serious delays, but the reality is we can’t predict the impact.”

Transport NSW has been contacted for comment.

More to come

Originally published as Commuters set for more train delays on Friday after wage negotiations break down