Sydney train strike threat remains still as rail bosses and union fail to come to terms

A PLANNED city-wide strike could be cancelled as a deal between unions and rail bosses could be struck as early as this afternoon.

SYDNEY commuter chaos may be avoided as rail bosses and the transport union edge closer to a deal.

Industrial action could begin as early as Thursday with a total shutdown of the Sydney Trains network on Monday, January 29.

A deal could be struck as early as this afternoon which would mean the city-wide strike is cancelled.

However, Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) NSW secretary Alex Claassens told reporters an offer from Sydney Trains on Monday night “was not up to scratch”.

NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance is said to be furious at the impasse and could investigate legal action to halt industrial action, reported the Daily Telegraph.

The network could come to a standstill on Monday.

A marathon meeting between NSW rail workers and Sydney Trains management wrapped up late on Monday with workers continuing to demand a pay rise and improved working conditions.

The planned meeting started about 12.30pm on Monday and finished more than 10 hours later, with negotiations expected to continue on Tuesday after the RTBU and Sydney Trains management remained deadlocked. Sydney Trains is said to have offered a three per cent pay rise, half of the six per cent the union was looking for.

The meeting comes days before an overtime ban that could affect 500 services and a week before a planned train strike on January 29 when more than 9000 train workers will stop work for 24 hours.

NSW Transport Minister, Andrew Constance said talks would reconvene today with union bosses.

Talking to Channel 7’s Sunrise, Mr Constance said talks would reconvene today and the union needed to articulate what their sticking point was with the current offer.

“We are working around the clock (on) this. Ultimately we will, hopefully for the people of Sydney, get a solution.”

On Monday, the RTBU’s Mr Claassens told reporters they were still “miles away” from reaching a consensus. The union says it is after a fair agreement and has asked Sydney Trains bosses to go back to the drawing board.

“Unfortunately, we still have not reached an agreement. Management came to the meeting with an offer but it was not up to scratch.”

Earlier in the day, the NSW premier and the Sydney Trains chief executive were hopeful the meeting would end in an agreement and the cancellation of the planned strike.

The main issues that remain to be resolved include rostering, job security and working conditions.