Latest on Sydney Trains Dispute
Sydney 25 january,2025
Rail unions have withdrawn all notified industrial action which previously threatened to disrupt Sydney’s train network. The Minns government dropped its attempt to block the action in the Fair Work Commission (FWC) after the unions withdrew the work bans. However, the Electrical Trades Union (ETU) has threatened new industrial action starting early next month.
The government had taken the unions to the FWC seeking to terminate the protected action, due to disruptions to train services caused by industrial action over a new enterprise agreement. The FWC had ordered workers to suspend the action until the government’s application was determined.
The ETU stated that the government’s refusal to negotiate a “fair deal” had pushed electrical workers to plan for a new round of action, with stoppages up to three times per week, limited to eight hours per day. Sydney Trains had previously blamed ETU work bans for widespread disruption.
Rail Tram and Bus Union NSW Secretary Toby Warnes
The Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) denied that the withdrawal was an admission that the unions would have lost the case, and warned of further action if the government did not return to the bargaining table.
The FWC is mediating negotiations over pay and conditions, with counteroffers exchanged but no agreement reached yet. The current agreement expired last May, and six unions have been bargaining collectively. They initially asked for a 32 per cent pay rise over four years but have now lowered their demands to match the government’s offer of 15 per cent over four years, including superannuation.
Key Takeaway points
- Rail unions have withdrawn all notified industrial action which threatened to cause further chaos for Sydney commuters, after the Minns government dropped its attempt to block the action.
- However, the Electrical Trades Union (ETU) has threatened a new round of industrial action beginning early next month.
- The government took the unions to the Fair Work Commission (FWC) last week seeking an order to terminate the protected action, after industrial actions over a new enterprise agreement disrupted train services.
- The ETU said that the government’s “refusal” to sit down and negotiate a “fair deal” had pushed electrical workers to plan for a new round of action.
- Sydney Trains previously said that the ETU work bans were the root cause of the widespread disruption experienced across the network last week.
- Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) secretary Toby Warnes denied the withdrawal was an admission the unions would have lost the case.
- The FWC is mediating negotiations over pay and conditions. Counteroffers have been exchanged over the past couple of days, but the parties are yet to reach an agreement.
- The current agreement governing pay and conditions for rail workers expired last May.
- Six unions, including the RTBU and the ETU, have been bargaining collectively.
- They initially asked for a pay rise of 32 per cent over four years but are understood to have now lowered their salary demands to match with the government’s latest offer.
- The government is offering 15 per cent over four years, including superannuation.
