Parramatta endures train strikes during July 1 industrial action

One of the busiest stations on the Sydney network has endured another day of industrial action but some passengers were willing to tolerate disruptions for embattled transport workers.

Parramatta commuters have managed to endure a relatively painless day of strike action as they boarded and departed trains from the busy western Sydney transport hub.

The train station was more quiet compared with the regular heavy influx of commuters spilling into the CBD and Westfield but still busy at 9am.

Several commuters were not aware of the specific reason for the industrial action that has caused delayed services but supported workers’ calls for better pay.

Despite warnings for passengers to avoid catching trains to reach the airport, Russell Singh, 21, was still happy to board a service from Parramatta station to the domestic terminal.

The Greystanes man was flying to Melbourne for his cousin’s birthday and was optimistic about reaching the airport by 10am for his 11.50am flight on Friday.

He backed train staff and said “the government’s being a pain”.

“I don’t know all too much about it (the strike) but it’s a shame they couldn’t get it resolved,’’ he said.

Russell Singh was not too deterred and supported workers striking.

Russell on his way to the airport.

“If people aren’t being treated right, something’s got to be said about it in some way.’’

Parramatta retail assistant Angelina Todd agreed.

The 21 year old started her job in the city this week when the industrial action was launched.

“It didn’t affect me as much as I feel it did with other people,’’ she said.

“It’s a bit of an inconvenience but I think anyone who works with trains in the industry should be treated fairly and paid more.

“I think even with the teachers’ strike, it’s the same thing, they should be treated fairly and paid more.’’

The Rail, Tram and Bus Union presented a deed to the Transport for NSW office in an effort for boss Rob Sharp to commit in writing to safety changes required on the new intercity fleet.

Commuters file through the Parramatta turnstiles.

Workers have rejected a $264 million offer from the government to alter the fleet because it would cut a previous $3000 bonus offer for rail workers.

The government and transport officials have so far refused to sign a legal document confirming it will make safety changes required to the new fleet.

The union has demanded a confirmation from the government that the cost of making the necessary changes would not come out of rail workers’ wages and conditions.

RTBU NSW secretary Alex Claassens said the union had been in the position four times.

“We’ve been promised the NIF safety changes will be made, then the government has backflipped on that promise every time,” Mr Claassens said.

“There’s a real concern that the government is trying to get rail workers and their families to essentially pay for the NIF by taking a cut in their take home pay and working conditions.”

The union has warned more strike action was on the way but Transport Minister David Elliott said he would resign if the government cannot resolve the dispute.

He has also threatened to take the union to the Fair Work Commission.

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Originally published as Parramatta endures train strikes during July 1 industrial action