Key Points
- Trains will be free across NSW next Wednesday "indefinitely" as rail workers have pledged to turn off all machines.
- It's the latest industrial action move made by rail workers in a long battle between the union and state government.
Trains across NSW will be free "indefinitely" from next Wednesday, as rail workers pledge to turn off all Opal machines for passengers in a continuing feud with the state government.
It's the latest bold industrial action taken by rail workers in what has been an 18-month battle between unions and the NSW government over safety and pay.
The Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) announced in a statement on Wednesday that its members would refuse to turn on the machines that accept fares for commuters from 21 September, in order to "cause a headache" for the government.
RTBU secretary Alex Claassens said people who have faced ongoing disruptions to their commute due to the government's "pigheadedness" would receive the added bonus of free train travel.
"All we want is safe trains and fair wages and conditions, but it appears the NSW government is more interested in playing political games than in delivering the safe trains and fair wages and conditions commuters and workers deserve," he said.
The union has been calling for improved safety on new trains, along with a further 0.5 per cent annual pay rise. The NSW government has already agreed to a 3 per cent increase this year and a further 3.5 per cent in 2023 in the enterprise agreement.
But the government has stayed staunch against changing the safety of the trains - a condition that is non-negotiable for the union - prompting widespread delays and interruptions on the rail network in recent months.
It's not the first time rail workers have resorted to keeping train gates open as a strategy to pressure the government, having done so last month.
According to NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet, 90 per cent of commuters tapped on despite the gates being open.
"That shows the people of NSW just want to get on with it. That's what I expect of the union," he said last month.
Mr Perrottet threatened to terminate the existing agreement at the end of August after a month of industrial action caused widespread disruption across several days.
He declared negotiations for a new agreement over and a final offer had been presented, but the unions rejected it and applied to the Fair Work Commission to continue bargaining.
Despite the state government working to block their latest move from happening, the union has one message for commuters in the meantime: "Enjoy your free train travel from Wednesday next week."
With AAP
