Chaos and reductions of service on Sydney Rail Network as 500 workers stay home
Report compiled with News aggregator and edited by Google GEMINI/Fact checked by A.Ritenis
Sydney
Friday 15 February,2025
Sydney commuters facing slow journeys as majority of services cut during extensive industrial action on friday to continue over weekend!
This news report describes industrial action taken by train drivers in NSW, Australia.
Here’s a breakdown of the key points:
*Up to 80 % of train services have been cancelled after over 500 train drivers and guards, (representing half of the rostered staff), refused to turn up for work in a snap industrial action.
*This has caused mass cancellations and widespread disruption across the public transport system. The T4 Eastern Suburbs & Illawarra Line is currently the worst affected, with virtually no trains operating.
NSW government seeking intervention of the Fair Work Commission,…and urging the union to comply with the recommendations urging the RTBU withdraw its industrial action
-Further hearings scheduled for Saturday 15 february.
- Slowdown: Drivers are intentionally driving trains 23km/h slower than the posted speed limit in areas where the limit exceeds 80km/h. This is a form of work-to-rule industrial action.
- No Pay Threat: The state government has stated they will not pay workers participating in this action.
- Union Response: The union has reportedly told drivers that if they are not being paid, they are authorized to not come to work at all. This has led to widespread cancellations.
- Service Disruptions: Significant cancellations and delays have affected most train lines, including the Blue Mountains, T1 North Shore and Western, T2 Leppington and Inner West, T9 Northern, and T8 Airport and Southern lines. Over 350 services were cancelled by 7:30 am.
- Negotiation Breakdown: The NSW government claims negotiations broke down due to the union’s last-minute request for a $4500 bonus payment per rail worker, which the government says was not previously part of the offer.
- Government Response: The government is considering all options, including potential legal action.
- Commuter Advice: Commuters are advised to postpone non-essential travel and seek alternative transportation.
