David Elliott says he’ll resign if train modifications dispute can’t be resolved

The RTBU has announced further industrial action for next week, promising more train chaos after the Transport Minister declared he’ll forfeit his job if the government can’t resolve the dispute.

The rail union causing chaos on Sydney’s train network has warned more action and even strikes are on the way.

Next week two more days of stop work on foreign change will reduce the network by 75 per cent, and RTBU boss Alex Claassens warned they won’t back down.

“That’s going to continue to escalate until we obviously get to a point where we’re going to take the ultimate action, which is strike action. And we are very quickly getting to that point because our patience is running out,” he said.

“Maybe it’s time for the Premier to get involved.”

The union refuses to back down until the government signs the dotted line on their proposed changes to the New Intercity Fleet despite Transport Minister David Elliott’s promise to make alterations.

RTBU NSW secretary Alex Claassens. Picture: Nikki Short

Mr Elliott has declared he will resign from his portfolio if the government is unable to resolve its ongoing feud with the rail union.

Mr Elliott slammed the rail union’s industrial action on Friday morning, calling the RTBU’s industrial action “the most politically motivated industrial action since Gough Whitlam” that is doing a “gross disservice”.

He told 2GB’s Ben Fordham he would resign if the feud couldn’t be fixed.

“I will resign from Cabinet if I don’t pull from my end of the bargain,” he told the radio host.

But Mr Elliott also said he was optimistic about a resolution.

“(RTBU NSW secretary) Alex (Claassens) and I have got a solid working relationship.”

It comes as commuters are being urged not to travel via train to Sydney Airport as industrial action continues to cripple the rail network after the union rejected a government peace offering.

Train services are reduced, delayed or not running at all on Friday. Picture: John Grainger

A Transport for NSW notice “urged” anyone intending to fly out of the city on Friday to use alternative transport, and that the T1 North Shore, T2 Inner West, T3 Bankstown, T4 Eastern Suburbs, T8 Airport and T9 Northern line would all be affected by the industrial action- including no trains at all on the T5 line.

“The impact of limited train services coupled with the start of school holidays means the Sydney Airport stations and the roads will be busier than usual. Anyone travelling to the Airport stations is urged to not travel by train,” the notice read.

“A weekend frequency will operate on the Blue Mountains and Central Coast & Newcastle lines.

“Buses will replace trains on the … T3 Bankstown line between Lidcombe and Bankstown, T7 Olympic Park Line between Olympic Park and Lidcombe, T8 Airport & South Line between Campbelltown and Macarthur, South Coast Line between Wollongong and Kiama and Wollongong and Port Kembla.”

Sydney Trains chief executive Matt Longland said the union’s objection to foreign-made trains means 150 of the fleet will stay off the tracks on Friday with those left be spread “very thinly” across services.

Commuters have been told not to catch the train to Sydney Airport on Friday. Picture: Jeremy Piper

“We’re spreading our trains … very thinly across the service (which is) less reliability for customers. It’s disappointing,” he told 2GB’s Ben Fordham.

“We’ve been notified of further action next Wednesday and next Friday where train drivers won’t operate foreign-made trains.”

Mr Claassens confirmed services would continue to be cut to 30 per cent on Friday and for at least two days next week.

Union rejects government offer

It comes after the union rejected a $264 million offer from the government to alter the mothballed New Intercity Fleet (NIF), with Mr Claassens saying the union would not embrace terms attached to the offer.

The updated offer slashed a previous $3000 bonus offer for rail workers, with Mr Claassens saying no agreement had been reached despite intensive negotiations over Thursday.

“It’s going to be a very messy day (on Friday),” Mr Claassens said.

“I’m just not sure where we go from here,” he said.

Passengers at Wynyard station during the industrial action. Picture: John Appleyard

Morning commuters at Museum train station in Sydney's CBD on Thursday as industrial action continues. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Jeremy Piper

“Our members are resolute.

“We are going to continue fighting to get those trains made safe. And we’ll do whatever it takes to make that happen.”

Transport Minister David Elliott slammed the union and threatened to take them to the Fair Work Commission over their continued industrial action.

“My patience is wearing extremely thin and the last thing I want to do is shred their enterprise agreement and go to the Fair Work Commission, but at some stage, if this isn’t bedded down, I expect this will become the only option.”

“I’m disappointed that all of a sudden after I fought for the funding to undertake the NIF modifications, they’re finding another excuse to continue industrial action.”

Originally published as David Elliott says he’ll resign if train modifications dispute can’t be resolved