Sydney Commuters Warned to Brace for Disruptions as Unions Slow Trains, Stop Maintenance

Passengers, seen through a train window, wait on the platform in central business district of Sydney on April 11, 2017. SAEED KHAN/AFP/Getty Images

Sydney commuters are being again warned to brace for two weeks of delays and disruptions as the Rail, Bus, and Tram Union (RBTU) and the Electrical Trades Union (ETU) prepare for strike action.

Operators Sydney Trains and New South Wales (NSW) TrainLink advised passengers to allow extra travel time and to plan ahead as there may be service disruptions due to the impact of the actions from Feb. 12.

Commuters have been advised that RBTU members may operate trains at slower speeds for the two-week period.

While a normal timetable is expected, Sydney Trains and NSW TrainLink will monitor intercity and regional routes that could be impacted.

In addition to the RBTU industrial action, ETU members will undertake a series of one-hour work breaks during Feb. 12, which will affect maintenance causing delays.

In a statement, the operators said passengers should leave early to get to their destinations.

“While we expect minimal disruption, the consequences of industrial action can be unpredictable, as are the operational needs of the network,” a statement said.

“Sydney Trains and NSW TrainLink will work to minimise impacts for passengers at all times and alert the public should delays build.”

Passengers will be contacted by SMS where possible in case of changed travel arrangements.

“Sydney Trains and NSW TrainLink apologise to our passengers if they experience industrial action on the rail network,” the statement said.

ETU NSW/ACT secretary Allen Hicks told the ABC the action would have minimal impact on travellers, and was supposed to be a sign of workers’ frustration at ongoing pay negotiations.

“Without the pressure of industrial action, the NSW government and Sydney Trains have shown they won’t sit down and meaningfully bargain with us,” he said.

No Agreement Yet

Last month, industrial action by the unions led to thousands of cancelled services across the city, effectively paralysing the city.

Unions had asked for a generous 32 percent pay increase over four years, as well as 35-hour work weeks, and additional 1 percent superannuation contributions—all taxpayer funded.

In January, then-NSW Transport Minister Jo Haylen had announced a “generous” offer of a 15 percent increase over four years.

The NSW Labor government is currently exploring legal avenues against the work ban, which have been deemed “intolerable.”

The Epoch Times contacted both unions for additional comment.