Sydney Train Commuters Get Reprieve as Union ordered to Suspend Industrial Action until JULY
SYDNEY, 20 February,2025
This report compiled with the assisatnce of Gemini AI and fact checked by A.Ritenis
Sydney train commuters are set to experience a reprieve from months of disruptions as the Fair Work Commission has ordered a suspension of industrial action on the city’s rail network. This decision, handed down late Wednesday, imposes a cooling-off period until July 1st.
The move comes after a prolonged dispute between the NSW government and the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) over a new enterprise agreement for rail workers. Negotiations have been ongoing for nearly a year, with the dispute appearing before the commission multiple times. Initially, the union sought a 32% pay rise over four years, while the government offered 15% for the same period, inclusive of a federally mandated superannuation increase.
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Interim Transport Minister John Graham with NSW Premier Chris Minns in background at Busines NSW event Photo Credit A.Ritenis
Interim Transport Minister John Graham (pictured above) expressed relief at the commission’s decision, calling it a “win for Sydney’s commuters” and stating that it “promises an end to disruption for all commuters in Sydney.” He emphasized the importance of using this period to reach a mutually agreeable deal, saying, “This gives us clear air to stop interrupting people’s lives and get on with the business of landing an agreement…but we’ve got to do it in a way that respects taxpayers and respects the public.”
Rail Tram and Bus Union NSW Secretary Toby Warnes
RTBU NSW branch secretary Toby Warnes confirmed that employees would respect the commission’s order and expressed hope for a return to productive bargaining. However, the union also issued a statement expressing concern that the government’s actions set a “dangerous precedent” for aggressive employers and could negatively impact workers everywhere. They stated, “While we are hopeful that the NSW government will see this result as reason to come back to the negotiating table, we are not confident.”
Business Sydney welcomed the cessation of industrial action but stressed the need for long-term certainty for commuters. Executive Director David Jones stated that commuters “need certainty that the war won’t erupt again” after enduring months of disruptions, including cancelled and delayed services. He suggested that commuters should be rewarded for their patience.
The cooling-off period provides an opportunity for both parties to resolve their differences and reach a sustainable agreement. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether this temporary reprieve will translate into a lasting solution for Sydney’s train network.
