It took some commuters more than three hours to travel by train from Penrith to the city today. And tonight and tomorrow looks like much of the same.
Transport Minister Jo Haylen has addressed the ongoing crisis on the rail network this afternoon, as the State Government’s squabble with unions over pay and conditions continues.
“This is the cumulative impact of hundreds of industrial bans in force across the network,” she said.
“We are seeing the situation get worse across the network. That means we’re having trains stand up at stations for more than 30 minutes.
“I want to apologise to passengers because they are being impacted by this industrial action when they just need to get to work or get home to look after their kids.”
Haylen encouraged union members to accept the current pay offer on the table.
Acting Premier Penny Sharpe said the government was investigating taking action through the courts to stop industrial action.
“We are currently looking at all of our legal options,” she said.
“The government has made a very good offer to our rail unions… that is a very generous offer and it is one we want the workforce to take.”
Sydney trains and their union want the general public to understand their cause. After all these strikes, they’ve managed to do the opposite. People are angry with Syd trains and the union and not to gov.
— Chaos ❤️🔥 (on 🦋) (@chaoscxntrol_) January 15, 2025
This morning, hundreds of services were cancelled while others experienced significant delays. More than 80 per cent of regular services were impacted.
The Rail, Tram and Bus Union has indicated it would be unlikely to accept the current offer on the table from the State Government.
Transport for NSW Secretary Josh Murray said a crisis centre had been set up to deal with the ongoing issues. He said while buses have been called in, it’s impossible to service the number of passengers that would usually travel on the trains.
Murray also confirmed Uber implemented a price cap at 7am this morning and will continue that for this afternoon’s peak.
Sydney Trains Chief Executive Matt Longland said this afternoon’s peak services would be dramatically impacted.
“If you’re planning on travelling this afternoon or this evening… expect that there will continue to be delays across the rail network,” he said.
“These sorts of delays will continue into the day tomorrow. We’re asking everyone to plan ahead.
“If this action continues in the coming days we will see similar levels of impact and potentially it may get worse on Thursday and Friday.”
Haylen said the situation was “intolerable”.
“The Sydney Trains and NSW Trains workforce [must] accept the fair and reasonable offer that is on the table from the NSW Government,” she said.
“This is a result of the unions’ actions. Passengers are unfortunately paying the price here for the unions’ actions. That is not fair.”
She said the proposed package was fully costed.
“It should be seriously considered and accepted,” she said.
ETU NSW/ACT Secretary Allen Hicks said the latest offer was unacceptable.
“We are disappointed in the latest offer from Sydney Trains, with its low wages offer that will continue to take workers’ standards of living backwards during this cost-of-living crisis. Our members are particularly concerned about new unforeseen changes to the proposed agreement that are covertly designed to railroad workers’ rights to raise safety issues during risk assessments, compromising the safety of workers and the rail network,” Hicks said.
“The latest offer also aims to silence workers’ voices by removing consultation rights in regard to new technologies. These changes will bring danger to workers and commuters alike.
“Sydney Trains has not engaged in genuine and meaningful bargaining since 3 December 2024, so workers are left with no choice but to continue taking protected industrial action in the hopes of bringing the company and the State Government back to the bargaining table to work towards a real outcome that workers can accept. Workers at Sydney Trains take us where we need to go – they shouldn’t be left behind.”
The Rail, Tram and Bus Union this afternoon accused the State Government of trying to sway public opinion against them.
“The NSW Government needs to stop playing politics over the industrial dispute with the Combined Rail Union (CRU) and come back to the negotiating table,” the statement said.
“It is clear that the government’s strategy is to drag this dispute out for longer than necessary in order to sway public opinion against the unions.
“The government has continuously moved the goal posts during the negotiating process- from taking previously agreed to claims off the table, to making an offer that is no more than the wage cap in disguise.
“The ball is in the government’s court. It can choose to take us down the legal avenue again and waste tens of thousands of dollars or they can meet with the union and finally put an end to this dispute.
“The unions will not accept any offer that removes the safety clause valiantly fought for during the last enterprise agreement campaign, as it would jeopardise safety and leave commuters with inferior trains and services.”
Troy Dodds
Troy Dodds is the Weekender's Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia's leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.