Sydney train industrial action : Sydney’s train commuters have been granted relief as the combined rail unions have called off most of their industrial action amidst an ongoing pay dispute with the NSW government, which caused significant delays last week.
The dispute was brought before the Fair Work Commission (FWC) today. Premier Chris Minns expressed confidence in the government’s position against the union and confirmed that most unions had decided to lift the work bans that disrupted the city’s train network last week.
“I believe we have a strong case, but the matter is now before the court. I won’t speculate or suggest how they might rule,” he told reporters.
Fair Work Commission Steps In to Resolve Rail Dispute
With the exception of the Electrical Trades Union (ETU), all other unions have assured the commission that they will not reinstate the bans that previously caused widespread delays across the public transport network,” the statement said.
“I’m unsure how the commission will interpret this development, but it represents a breakthrough we’ve been anticipating for a long time.”
According to a NSW government spokesperson, the unions have withdrawn all notified industrial actions, except for minor measures such as wearing union badges, and have informed the FWC that they will not pursue these actions further.
Relief for Sydney Commuters as Rail Unions Suspend Industrial Action
“This is a significant and welcome development,” the spokesperson stated.
“However, the ETU has only committed to suspending their action until March 31.
“This leaves the possibility of the notified hourly stoppages still proceeding, creating an unacceptable level of uncertainty.”
Consequently, the government announced it would continue with its legal challenge, keeping the matter before the workplace tribunal to “ensure commuters are permanently protected.”
Premier Chris Minns referred the matter to the Fair Work Commission (FWC) last Thursday, filing an application under section 424 of the Fair Work Act to halt the ongoing industrial action.
Section 424 empowers the FWC to suspend or terminate protected industrial action if it poses a risk of “endangering the life, personal safety, health, or welfare of the population” or “causing significant damage to the Australian economy.”
Last week, several unions, including the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) and the Electrical Trades Union (ETU), staged two days of industrial action and work bans, leading to thousands of train services being canceled or delayed by up to six hours.
At the time, Minns criticized the industrial action, describing it as having placed a “noose around the public.”
“We’re open to negotiating with the union, but not when it means nearly every family in Sydney is impacted by public transport disruptions,” the premier said.
Late last Thursday, the FWC intervened, ordering the unions to pause their industrial action ahead of today’s first full hearing on the matter.
Minns previously stated that if the FWC approves his government’s application, the industrial action will cease, and both parties will move to arbitration.
An independent third party would then review arguments from both sides and issue a binding decision.
The RTBU, which had initially demanded a 32 percent pay increase over four years, has reportedly reduced its demands.
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