Commuters win as government agrees to run 24hr transport this weekend
Commuters will enjoy the benefits of 24-hour transport this weekend, after the NSW Government acceded to rail workers’ demand to trial run train services around the clock, from Thursday night until Sunday morning.
As part of its current round of protected industrial action, the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) NSW said that its workers would be forced to stop work from Thursday night unless the NSW Government agreed to deliver 24hr transport.
Rail workers are currently taking protected industrial action in an attempt to secure better wages and conditions.
RTBU NSW Secretary, Toby Warnes, said the government’s commitment to 24-hour transport this weekend is a big win for commuters, and said he hopes it will pave the way for improved discussions at the negotiating table too.
“Our protected industrial action is always about causing a headache for the Government, so they actually listen to the needs of their workforce; it’s never about disrupting the travelling public. Our call for 24-hour transport has the benefit of being a pain for management and the government, while also resulting in improved services for commuters,” Mr Warnes said.
“We’re certainly taking a novel approach to protected industrial action, but we’re confident it will help deliver the fair pay and conditions workers deserve while also helping deliver improved transport services for commuters.
Mr Warnes said the NSW Government is dragging its heels when it comes to delivering a decent enterprise agreement for its workforce.
“Our rail workers are essential workers who deserve fair working conditions and a pay increase that helps them keep up with the cost of living,” Mr Warnes said.
“The NSW Government is currently refusing to provide workers at Sydney and NSW Trains with the fair enterprise agreement they deserve, so we’ve been left with no option but to take protected industrial action.
“We’re hopeful common-sense will soon prevail though and the NSW Government will come to the table with a decent enterprise agreement offer for the hard-working women and men who keep our rail network moving.”
Mr Warnes said he also hoped running transport day and night this weekend would highlight the benefits of making 24hr running a permanently in the future.
“Everyone wants 24-hour transport – businesses, commuters, local communities. We’ve always said there’s no reason why it can’t be introduced, and hopefully by forcing the government to introduce it this weekend we’ll be able to see its benefits in action.
“We’re hopeful Sydney’s commuters will enjoy the improved transport that the Rail, Tram and Bus Union has delivered this weekend.”