Central Coast commuters will not be enjoying free train travel anytime soon, with the Federal Court this week quashing an appeal for an urgent hearing on the legality of union plans to deactivate Opal card readers at the state’s railway stations.
The move is the latest planned action as negotiations between unions and the State Government over salary and safety issues continue to stall.
Enterprise Agreement delegates from the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) will discuss the union’s next moves after the Court decided on October 25 to dismiss an urgent hearing, proposing hearing dates for February or March next year.
Minister for Transport, David Elliott, and Minister for Employee Relations, Damien Tudehope, said it was “entirely unnecessary” for the union to be in this position.
“The Government’s priority is allowing rail workers to access a fair and reasonable increase in pay and conditions by taking its offer to a vote,” they said.
“This offer has been negotiated with representatives of six unions during the course of 64 bargaining meetings held over more than 12 months, equating to 50,000 hours and 6,250 business days.
“Once again, the NSW Government urges the rail unions to agree to put the proposed Enterprise Agreement package, including the $1.1B modifications to the New Intercity Fleet, bonuses for workers for accepting overtime and a one-off payment of $3,185, to a vote of its members to ensure rail workers benefit from the increased pay and generous allowances before Christmas.”
But the RBTU said it was “disappointed” with the Federal Court’s decision.
“It is clearly in the best interests of the community and our hardworking frontline members to have this question resolved as soon as possible and the RTBU is considering an appeal,” a spokesperson said.
“This case came about on the back of a heartless and vicious legal strategy of a government hellbent on taking us back to the days of the waterfront disputes.
“It is clear that this is a desperate government willing to put all of its energy into dragging the union before the courts until the March election, at the expense of commuters.”
Terry Collins