Sydney Trains will not operate for three days because of an industrial dispute

An industrial dispute will force Sydney trains offline for three days after the union and government could not agree on a 24-hour roster.

Sydney trains will be shut down for four days as an industrial dispute reaches a stalemate.

NSW Transport Minister Jo Heylan said on Tuesday there would be no train services in Sydney from Thursday to Sunday due to industrial action by the Rail Tram and Bus Union (RTBU).

The union had given the government an ultimatum to either run all rail lines around the clock from Thursday to Sunday, or face a complete shut down.

The government agreed to 24-hour trial last weekend, but said it would not be possible this week. Instead it had proposed to run a 24-hour service between Hornsby and Strathfield.

NSW Transport Minister Jo Haylen says the rail union will strike for three days, effectively shutting down Sydney trains from Thursday. Picture: NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

Commuters will face transport chaos from Thursday night with the shut down of Sydney trains that carry one million people a day. Picture: NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone

Ms Haylen said the union’s demand was unviable and it rejected the government’s compromise at an online meeting on Tuesday.

“If we continue to try and run 24-hour services over the weekend that fact is that it will eventually lead to the failure of our rail network,” Ms Haylen said.

She said Sydneysiders should expected significant disruptions over those four days.

The union bans are expected to begin on all Sydney lines at 10pm on Thursday and end at 6am on Sunday, but the impact is expected to last longer.

A Transport for NSW spokesperson told the ABC train services would end about 8pm on Thursday to allow for trains to return to base.

Sydney trains will be shut down for three days as an industrial dispute reaches a stalemate.

Ms Heylan said it would cause “major disruption for millions of train passengers”.

Sydney Trains chief executive Matt Longland said the strike would cause major delays across the city’s train network, which carries one million people per day.

“At this point we have to prepare for no train services,” he said.

“I’m asking people to think about travelling well outside the peak, to make alternative arrangements, to plan well ahead.”

Sydney Trains chief executive Matt Longland said commuters would face major delays because of the strike. Picture: NewsWire / Damian Shaw

Sydney Trains has asked the Metro for more services, but it will be shutdown for maintenance on the weekend. Picture: NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

Mr Longland said Sydney Trains was working with Sydney Metro for more services, but the Metro will be closed on the weekend for maintenance.

“That will be an additional factor as we look towards the weekend that we will not have Metro services to augment a stoppage at Sydney trains,” he said.

Meanwhile, thousands are expected at Olympic Park on Thursday and Saturday for a Pearl Jam concert

The powerful rail has demanded the government to run 24-hour train services on Thursday, Friday and Saturdays.

It’s part of its enterprise agreement with the government.

Mr Longland said fans should make alternative travel plans.

“We will have no major event buses at this stage, we will reply on car parks, carpooling and ride share services,” he said.

Train commuters are being warned of the shut down of the Sydney train network from Thursday night. Picture: NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone

RBTU NSW secretary Toby Warnes said on Tuesday the bans would be lifted if the government agreed to the 24 hour service.

“The reason we won’t lift the bans at this stage is ongoing frustrations with the government for not sitting at the negotiating table,” he said.

“We’ve told the NSW government that our bans remain for the weekend.

“Of course if the government decides to run the trains 24 hours a day, those bans don’t apply.”

At the heart of the dispute is the union’s Enterprise Agreement, which expired six months ago.

He last week accused the NSW government of “dragging its heels” to respond to calls for better pay and conditions.

He said the call for a 24-hour weekend service was in response to public feedback.

“The overwhelming feedback from the public is that they want 24-hour services on the weekend, not just to go between the CBD and inner suburbs but for those travelling further including Gosford and Wollongong,” Mr Warnes said last week.

Labor has offered the 14,000 rail workers wage increases of 3.5 per cent in the first year, 3 per cent in the second and 3 per cent in the third, below the union’s demand for a 32 per cent pay rise over four years.

Originally published as Sydney Trains will not operate for three days because of an industrial dispute