Impasse reached in train fight
Sydney commuters face more disruption as industrial action continues.
The state’s rail union has pushed back against the NSW Government’s ‘take-it-or-leave-it’ $1 billion deal on pay and conditions.
The NSW government reached an impasse with the NSW Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) last week, and the Fair Work Commission has ordered the matter be heard on Tuesday.
Finance Minister Damien Tudehope said the union is stalling.
“It is apparent that this application to the FWC is a delaying tactic by rail unions that are adamant on blocking a vote of employees and on dragging out these negotiations so that they can continue their political campaign of disruptive strikes,” Mr Tudehope said.
“The NSW government has always negotiated in good faith and made countless concessions to the unions throughout bargaining. In return, the government simply expects an end to the strikes.”
Last week - as 75 per cent of Sydney's train services were cut amid strike action - Premier Dominic Perrottet gave the union an ultimatum to take a wage deal to its members for a vote, or risk having the offer terminated.
He also said that a $264 million commitment to modify the state’s inter-city fleet to union specifications would be off the table soon.
After 16 months of negotiation, the premier told Transport Minister David Elliott to give the union an agreement to be passed on to its members for a vote.
The Government told the union it would tear up the deal if it did not cease all industrial action by 5pm on Friday.
But when Friday came, NSW RTBU secretary Alex Claassens said the government had left members with no choice but to continue agitating through disruption.
Reports say RTBU officials have not put the deal to members for a vote, because they claim it still requires changes.
Mr Claassens has also claimed that the offer on the table falls short of what workers are entitled to,and argues that it will leave commuters worse off.