Rail union has ‘no intention’ of stopping transport strikes

Dominic Perrottet’s government has been accused of ‘blackmailing’ a union as a strict deadline for action passed on Friday afternoon.

NSW’s rail union is set to go even harder in its strikes next week, after a 5pm deadline for the group to stop all industrial action passed with no agreement reached on Friday.

The Rail, Tram and Bus Union and the NSW government have issued duelling ultimatums to each other over the past 48 hours, appearing as far as ever from reaching an end to a dispute causing chaos across Sydney.

Train strikes have plagued NSW, particularly the Sydney CBD, for months, coming to a head on Wednesday when 70 per cent of the city’s train fleet was inactive.

Although Mr Perrottet declared the government would no longer tolerate “disgraceful” strikes, the union response suggests tensions may continue to run high for weeks to come.

The union’s NSW secretary Alex Claassens announced on Friday morrning he would not bow to the state government’s demands, and categorically refused to rule out further strikes in the coming weeks.

“We have no intention of stopping our protected industrial action and the Premier shouldn’t be surprised if more industrial action is called next week,” he said.

The union has warned strikes may continue across NSW. Picture: Richard Dobson

The government sent out a statement shortly after Friday’s deadline passed, saying it would respect the process of the Fair Work Commission, which will hear arguments on Tuesday.

It sought an emergency hearing before the industrial umpire earlier on Friday, where it was resolved discussions will continue next week.

“The NSW Government respects the process and procedures of the FWC and awaits the outcome of proceedings,” Employment Relations Minister Damien Tudehope and Transport Minister David Elliott said in a joint statement at 5.04pm.

It came after negotiations appeared to make headway, before breaking down again earlier this week.

“They are now trying to blackmail the good railway workers and the people out here doing the job that they do every day,” the union’s NSW secretary Alex Claassens said on Friday afternoon.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet has been lashed by the rail union. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Mr Tudehope threatened to tear up a $1bn offer to modify the new intercity fleet and an existing enterprise agreement covering 13,000 workers if the offer wasn’t presented to union members.

Mr Tudehope said any continuing strikes after Friday would prompt the government to launch Fair Work Commission proceedings against the union.

“(Industrial action) will be evidence relied upon by the government that the unions have no interest in getting that enterprise agreement approved,” he told The Sydney Morning Herald.

RTBU NSW secretary Alex Claassens has slammed the state government’s ultimatum. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dylan Coker

“And in those circumstances, the government will be left with an opportunity to commence proceedings for termination. We are not softening our approach.”

Mr Claassens accused the government of throwing a tantrum by issuing the ultimatum to tear up the employment agreements.

“I’ve never seen anything like it before,” he said.

“For the last few days, we have been working towards a positive outcome, but the documents they’re trying to force us to sign are not in the best interests of members or commuters.

“This government does not care about the people of NSW, all they care about is their own jobs.”

Mr Claassens said the union had also asked the FWC to force the government to the bargaining table.

The commission will hear arguments next week.

Commuters have been experiencing continued delays for months. Picture: Jonathan Ng

After months of trying to secure a deed from the NSW government to modify the foreign-built intercity fleet to make it safer for workers and commuters, Mr Claassens said the government’s commitment to $1bn of upgrades was inadequate.

He said he would not endorse the enterprise agreement from the government that he claimed was “nowhere near ready”.

The union has demanded a pay increase of an additional 0.5 per cent, which would increase wages above the public sector wages limit.

On Wednesday, NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said the government had extended the final enterprise agreement to the RTBU after 58 meetings.

“We are drawing a line in the sand,“ he said.

Trains have been heavily delayed and cancelled during the strikes. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“The offer is going to the union for them to take to their members to vote on it. If that strike action continues, we will not be making any modifications to the intercity fleet, and we will be applying to the Fair Work Commission for the current agreement to be terminated.”