Sydney Trains strike still on the cards for Monday but rail pain could kick in days earlier

THE rail strike is planned for next Monday, but there are warnings the disruption could begin this week, leaving commuters frustrated.

THE train drivers’ union and transport bosses will come face-to-face again on Monday but there are fears that even if next week’s Sydney train strike is averted, rail chaos could still ensue.

A planned overtime ban, due to kick in on Thursday, could cause mayhem across the network on the Australia Day long weekend.

More than 9000 rail workers are set to strike next Monday, January 29, the first day back at work for many following the summer break.

The key sticking point is just how much rail workers’ wages will rise by. The Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) is calling for a 6 per cent hike, each year for four years. The NSW Government, which owns Sydney Trains, says 2.5 per cent is more than enough and in line with other public workers.

Disruption on Sydney’s train network could kick in as soon as Thursday. Picture: John Grainger

Transport Minister Andrew Constance, who last week described the strike as a “silly stunt,” met with union officials on Friday in an attempt to come to an agreement.

RTBU NSW secretary Alex Claassens said on Friday he believed Mr Constance was committed to “trying to resolve this mess”.

Nevertheless, no agreement was reached last week.

Mr Claassens said there were still “about six or seven really key issues” to resolve.

Indeed, it’s looking likely Sydney Trains will come back with a better pay offer on Monday.

But the union has warned that if agreement can’t be reached not only will the strike go ahead next Monday, but commuters could feel the pain as soon as Thursday.

RTBU NSW Secretary Alex Claassens (left) and Secretary of Unions NSW Mark Morey leaving a meeting with Sydney Trains in Sydney last week. Picture: AAP Image/David Moir.

“While the discussions (on Friday) were positive, we don’t yet have an offer on the table that will provide workers with the fair wages and conditions they deserve,” he said.

“As a result, the overtime ban scheduled to begin on Thursday, January 25 and the 24-hour stoppage planned for Monday, January 29, at this stage, will still go ahead.”

While an overtime ban seems relatively harmless, its effect could be devastating.

The introduction of a controversial new timetable in November, with thousands of extra services, has relied on drivers working over and above their regular hours to meet the new schedule’s demands.

Just 70 drivers calling in sick in early January saw cancellations, trains replaced by buses and meant thousands of commuters took hours to get to and from work.

Last week, Sydney Trains boss Howard Collins said a lack of overtime would cause mayhem.

“That will have an impact on the network ... we are working on those contingency plans now,” he said.

NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance is keen to nut out a deal to avert a strike.

“It would be an important challenge for us and we would have to reschedule (trains).”

As a first step towards industrial action, RTBU members have begun wearing union badges and shirts.

Mr Constance has previously warned a rail strike would “shut down the city”. Some Sydney businesses have already organised contingency plans, telling employees to work from home on the day of the strike.

The main issues to be resolved at Monday’s meeting include rostering, job security and working conditions, the RTBU said.

“We’re very hopeful that the Minister will come to the table with a fair and reasonable offer that can be put to the workers before then so we don’t have to go down that path (to a strike),” said Mr Claassens.