NSW minister calls on unions to call off strike plans
NSW Employee Relations Minister Damien Tudehope has accused unions of using safety concerns as an “industrial tactic”.
NSW Employee Relations Minister Damien Tudehope has urged Unions NSW and the Rail Tram and Bus Union to call off plans to disrupt the state’s rail network on Thursday, accusing the unions of using safety concerns as an “industrial tactic”.
Obtained by The Australian, a letter sent to Unions NSW assistant secretary Thomas Costa and RTBU secretary Alex Claassens from Mr Tudehope and Acting Transport Minister Natalie Ward urges the unions to forego plans to strike from midnight on Thursday, saying proceeding would be at “significant cost to the people of NSW”.
Sydney’s transport network has been beset by intermittent chaos over the preceding months, as the Perrottet government and unions have unsuccessfully attempted to thrash out a way forward over a new enterprise agreement. In their letter, Mr Tudehope and Ms Ward say the government has already made a number of “significant concessions” to the unions, including a commitment to modify the upgraded fleet, but the alterations are predicated on the unions resolving the industrial dispute “in its entirety”.
“It is our view that Unions NSW and the RTBU’s stated objections to the government’s offer are without basis and as such we request that you withdraw from further industrial action as we move towards a resolution of the enterprise bargaining process,” the letter said.
“This is a reasonable position given the claim for alterations is, in the government’s view, an industrial tactic rather than a legitimate safety issue; and it is a concession that comes with a significant cost to the people of NSW.” All “legitimate safety concerns” had been addressed through the “consultation, design and safety accreditation processes for the trains”, the letter said.
Rail unions are concerned the government’s new Mariyung fleet has safety issues, including surveillance blind spots.
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