Central Coast commuters could be in for more delays as Christmas approaches, with the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) claiming the NSW Government has derailed negotiations for a new enterprise agreement.
RTBU Secretary Toby Warnes said the government had launched an “unprecedented legal attack” against workers, forcing them to push ahead with protected industrial action.
“Despite two weeks of productive, positive negotiations, the NSW Government walked away from negotiations on Friday (December 6) without making an offer to workers,” Warnes said.
“The Fair Work Commission put pressure on the government to continue negotiations on Friday, prompting the NSW Premier and Transport Minister agreed to continue to negotiate over the weekend.
“However, rail unions were instead sent court notices on Sunday (December 8), effectively shutting down the talks and resulting in an unprecedented government attack on workers’ rights.”
Warnes said going down the legal route would see the government and the union forced into the Federal Court.
“The government will attempt to find loopholes in the multi-employer bargaining agreement to suggest the action planned by workers is unprotected; (this) is incredibly disappointing,” he said.
“Negotiations between the NSW Government and the unions were going incredibly well until the government decided to derail the discussions entirely.
“The government’s actions marks a clear break from the productive conversations we had been having and shows that this government’s approach to its workers is no different than that of the previous Liberal government.
“Sending threatening legal notices at a moment in the negotiations when it looked like we were very close to being able to land an agreement is unbelievably irresponsible and disruptive.
“We are desperate to reach a deal, but it appears the NSW Government is more interested threatening workers and continuing chaos.
“They have been aware of this action for over six weeks, but they’ve waited until the 11th hour to pull a stunt like this.”
Protected industrial actions will include resuming the limit on the distance rail workers will operate trains, an action which was suspended due to the Premier’s intervention more than two weeks ago.
Between Monday and Wednesday each week, the distances travelled for drivers and guards will be incrementally reduced by five kilometres per day for suburban drivers and guards and by eight kilometres per day for workers on intercity services.