Transport Minister’s ‘radical’ plan should union negotiations break down

A senior NSW government figure has warned the rail union that if it ever stopped “acting in good faith” he has a contingency plan in place.

Transport Minister David Elliott has told a budget estimates hearing he has “some radical ideas” to pressure a union should negotiations break down over rail strikes.

Commuters across Sydney and as far as Canberra and Melbourne have been impacted by month-long rail strikes that caused widespread service delays and cancellations on the city’s transport network.

Earlier in the hearing, Mr Elliot confirmed that the NSW government was “close” to reaching a resolution with the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) that could end the persistent industrial action.

He did, however, make clear that he had some extra tricks up his sleeve should negotiations break down.

Sydneysiders have endured weeks of train cancellations and delays on the city’s train network. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dylan Coker

“Governments always look at all contingencies; let me tell you, I’ve got some radical ideas on my mind and it doesn’t involve shredding the enterprise agreement – it’s going to be a lot more radical than that,” Mr Elliott said on Friday.

When asked to elaborate on what these ideas would entail, he refused to explain.

“Wait till I can put them on paper,” he told the hearing.

When asked to elaborate on what his ideas would entail, Transport Minister David Elliott refused to explain. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short

Mr Elliott was asked if a “lockout” – a work stoppage initiated by management – was something he would consider in order to put pressure on the union.

“As a man who is dedicated to getting the trains running, no, that doesn’t really sit with my plans,” Mr Elliott said.

Mr Elliott said he spoke with RTBU NSW secretary Alex Claassens on Thursday night.

“They appear to be close to a resolution, but there are still one or two outstanding matters that need to be determined,” he said.

Trains could be running to normal as early as next week if negotiations go well, Mr Elliott said. Picture: Gaye Gerard / NCA NewsWire

The renegotiation of an enterprise agreement is likely to trigger “intense negotiations” next week.

“I’m hoping that Alex and I can thrash out any outstanding matters on Wednesday,” Mr Elliott said.

Labor MLC John Graham asked Mr Elliott when commuters could expect to be able to catch a train free of disruptions.

“Could be next week,” Mr Elliott said.

“That is the best-case scenario; the worst-case scenario could be up to six months.”