Bad news for Sydneysiders keen on a smooth ride home from work, the city is set to endure a day of commuting chaos thanks to a 24-hour strike announced by Sydney Trains and NSW Rail workers that will practically grind the city to a halt on January 29th.
The Rail, Tram, and Bus Union announced the 24-hour strike will begin at 12:01am on Monday, January 29th, with workers striking in protest of what they call an “shambolic” new timetable implemented by rail authorities.
Union bosses met with Sydney Trains management earlier today to discuss the timetable, which was brought into effect last November. NSW rail union secretary Alex Claasens stated that conditions and pay are manifestly inadequate and workers are being asked to effectively perform miracles in order to deliver the new timetable to a satisfactory level.
We’re disappointed it’s had to come to this, but management and the NSW government haven’t left us with any other options.
Workers are being stretched to capacity trying to deliver the shambolic new timetable, and now on top of this they’re all being told they can’t be guaranteed fair conditions and pay.
The terrible way management and the NSW Government are willing to treat its hard-working employees has been laid bare for everyone to see lately. All workers are asking for are fair working conditions and wages in return for the work they do.
Government officials remain hopeful the strike will not go ahead, asserting that they wanted to negotiate in “good faith” with the union.
The strike comes on the heels of a horror period for the Sydney train network, where a combination of storm damage, staff calling in sick, and excess annual leave approved by management resulted in the network virtually caving in on itself; scores of cancelled services caused massive delays for passengers and overly crowded platforms on scorching summer’s afternoons.
The planned strike will occur in conjunction with a union-mandated ban on drivers working overtime, set to come into effect from January 25th; a move which is predicted to cripple transport networks across the Australia Day public holiday weekend.
State Government officials are likely to organise bus services to replace train services affected by the strike action.
