The Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) has confirmed that industrial action will recommence on January 15. This will involve restrictions on train driver responsibilities, affecting both operational capacity and service restoration efforts. Commuters using New South Wales train services must prepare for potential cancellations and longer waiting times as a result.
A brief ceasefire during the New Year's period allowed for uninterrupted services, much to the relief of commuters and event organizers. As the holiday festivities approached, concerns were raised that train disruptions could lead to the cancellation of the highly anticipated Sydney New Year’s Eve fireworks. Thankfully, the ceasefire helped avert this outcome, but the underlying disputes remain unresolved.
The latest negotiations between the RTBU and the New South Wales government have reached a stalemate, with significant differences over wage demands. The union is pushing for a much higher wage increase than what the government has offered. Without further negotiations, the potential for future disruptions looms large as workers advocate for fair compensation in light of ongoing economic challenges.
Train disruptions are set to resume for residents in New South Wales starting January 15, following a brief ceasefire between rail unions and the state government during the New Year period. As commuters return to work after the summer break, the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) has announced that it will enact at least eight work bans, which will lead to significant cancellations and delays in train services. The action is part of an ongoing dispute over pay, with the union demanding a substantial wage increase of 32% over four years, while the government is only offering a 9.5% increase over the same period. The upcoming industrial action is predicted to include restrictions on the number of kilometers train drivers can drive, limiting the work they can do to restore cancelled services, and preventing them from working with contractors. While the disruptions will not reach the levels that could have occurred during the New Year’s Eve celebrations, they are still expected to majorly impact commuters. Safety concerns were heightened over the holiday season when the Commissioner of Police suggested that the Sydney New Year’s Eve fireworks might have to be canceled if train services were significantly disrupted. Negotiations between the RTBU and the state government appear to be at an impasse, with no set date for the continuation of talks. The ongoing dispute has strained relations between the union and the government, and as action resumes, commuters are advised to prepare for a challenging journey ahead. The situation underscores the broader challenges in labor relations within the transport sector, as unions push for better pay and conditions in the face of rising living costs.Pfft! Some Unions shoot themselves in the foot by getting too greedy. Everyone wants more money. The TWU certainly is not concerned with the welfare of the wider community only themselves.
Going to be great going back to work next week I depend on public transport maybe they should privatise it.
FUCK SAKE, ban unions from disrupting our lives! Time to convert the WHOLE Rail network driverless
Jai décidé de surprendre mon partenaire avec un petit-déjeuner au lit. Cétait très agréable jusquà ce que je me rende compte que javais oublié de faire du café et que jai dû présenter des excuses endormies en même temps que les toasts. Note à moi-même : toujours donner la priorité à la caféine💚
And the government will now drag it out to next New Year’s Eve, they have every incentive to keep the disruptions going, since service reductions and deferred maintenance saves them money, and they don’t have to back pay staff to the expiry of the previous agreement. Then they wonder why the pay claim goes up at the next round of negotiations… Gee I wonder why.
