Business Lobby Group Proposes Providing Sydney Train Commuters with a Minimum of One Week of Complimentary Trips

Sydney train commuters should be provided with at least a week of free trips as compensation for the recent railway workers strike that caused disruptions in the network, according to a business lobby group.

“To start rebuilding confidence and acknowledging the disruption endured by commuters, Business Sydney is calling for Sydney’s rail commuters to be offered at least a week of free travel on the rail network,” stated Paul Nicolaou, executive director of Business Sydney, in a LinkedIn post.

“The combined rail unions’ campaign for higher wages has resulted in significant financial losses for our city. The impact is both tangible and psychological.”

Nicolaou previously highlighted that the strike, which led to the cancellation of under 4,000 trains between Feb. 14 and 17, has been damaging the city’s economy and would require a considerable amount of time to restore.

“This ongoing campaign is diminishing confidence in our city, with businesses suffering from transport disruptions that deter people from commuting to the city for work, shopping, and entertainment,” stated Nicolau.

RTBU’s Demands ‘Excessive and Too Militant’

The NSW government proposed a 15 percent pay increase over four years to unions, but Sydney train workers are seeking a 32 percent increase over four years and a reduced 35-hour working week.

In addition, the Rail, Tram, and Bus Union (RTBU) is demanding a $4,500 sign-on bonus for every rail worker.

Jim Donovan, Secretary of the Action for Public Transport (NSW) Inc, stated to The Epoch Times, “We believe that the current RTBU demands are regarded by most people as excessive and too militant.”

“We believe that a suitable resolution would be for the union to retract the $4,500 claim and accept the generous offer. It is noted that train drivers already earn significantly more than police, nurses, and ambulance paramedics.”

Donovan highlighted that the same union hindered the new intercity Mariyung trains from operating without guards, resulting in a fleet of trains being inactive in a depot for four years.

“It is understood that the union had previously agreed to driver-only operation during the planning phase. We believe that most people view the claims regarding the New Intercity Fleet as driven by motives other than safety, which is a matter for the official rail safety regulator.”

FWC Orders Strike Suspension Until July 1

The Fair Work Commission (FWC) has mandated the suspension of industrial action until July 1 to allow the government and unions to continue negotiations on pay and conditions.

The NSW government had requested for the industrial action to be suspended until early September.

In response to the FWC’s directive, the RTBU stated, “While we hope that the NSW government will perceive this outcome as an opportunity to return to the negotiating table, we remain skeptical.”

“It must be emphasized that this action by the NSW government establishes a troubling precedent. It establishes an industrial agenda for aggressive employers, which should be a significant concern not only for rail workers but for workers across all sectors.”