Strike to force shutdown of Sydney light rail network

A 24-hour strike will bring Sydney’s light rail lines to a halt next Wednesday after tram drivers and other workers rejected an in-principle pay deal that had been reached between unions and the tram operator.

Commuters also face ongoing disruptions to services from go-slows and other industrial action from next Tuesday, which will culminate in Wednesday’s stoppage. The industrial action coincides with large crowds travelling into the CBD for the Vivid Festival.

Sydney’s light rail network will be brought to a halt for 24 hours next Wednesday.Credit: Oscar Colman

It will disrupt services on the L1 line from Central Station to Dulwich Hill in the inner west, as well as the L2 and L3 lines from Circular Quay to Randwick and Kingsford respectively.

Light rail operator Transdev had offered workers pay rises of 6 per cent in the first year, followed by 4 per cent in each of the following three years.

Rail Tram and Bus Union divisional secretary David Babinaeu said members had been “virtually” unanimous in rejecting the pay offer in meetings earlier this week because they felt it was insufficient given cost-of-living pressures.

“The members were pretty straight up in saying that they don’t think the deal is good enough,” he said. “They want a higher offer because the cost of living has increased so much in the last few years. Members felt that the offer didn’t reflect that or productivity gains.”

He declined to reveal the quantum of the pay rise members were seeking.

Another key demand from union members is an increase in sick days from 10 a year to 15.

Transdev Sydney managing director Arsene Durand-Raucher said he was disappointed at the planned industrial action after reaching the in-principle agreement with the union early last week.

“We are still committed to negotiating in good faith. We remain hopeful that we can reach a resolution and avoid unnecessary disruption,” he said.

He apologised to the public for the planned service disruptions and urged people to plan ahead and consider alternative public transport options to trams from next Tuesday.

“We’ve alerted schools located near the light rail, and on the day, we will have as many personnel as possible on the ground to help manage the disruption,” he said.

The union has advised the company that bans on wearing uniforms and reporting non-safety related infrastructure failures, as well as actions such as drivers travelling at slower speeds, will continue indefinitely from next Tuesday.

The union and Transdev are due to hold further talks next Tuesday.

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