The NSW Government and rail unions remain at loggerheads over the ongoing dispute relating to safety issues on the New Intercity Fleet (NIF), with further industrial action on the Central Coast line remaining a possibility.
On August 28, the Government made an offer to the leadership of the rail unions in what it said was an effort to “finally bring peace back to the rail network”.
The Government proposed to withdraw the requirement that alterations to the NIF be dependent upon finalisation of a new Enterprise Agreement and to authorise the commencement of work to make alterations to the NIF after appropriate testing and warranty confirmation.
The offer was conditional upon rail unions agreeing that, pending the finalisation of the new Enterprise Agreement, they will call off any further industrial action.
“This offer is made by the NSW Government, not as an acceptance that the work that the rail unions has sought to be done on the NIF is necessary, but rather as an attempt to bring to an end the ongoing dispute which is impacting commuters,” the Government said.
But Rail, Bus and Tram Union (RBTU) NSW Secretary, Alex Claassens, said unions had been provided with an “ambiguous” letter “at the 11th hour”.
“The letter contained contradictory and ambiguous content and did not disclose what the terms of a deed would be,” Claassens said.
“It is also not entirely clear what the RTBU is being asked to do in exchange.
“Despite the lack of clarity or explanation on what the letter means, the Industrial Relations Minister immediately called for this week’s protected industrial action to be called off.”
Claassens, said the latest offer did not add anything to the progression of the dispute.
“You can’t just send us a letter late on Sunday, especially one as poorly drafted as this, and expect everyone to jump to attention,” he said.
“The NSW Government must allow us the time to work through the letter and sit down and explain what they mean by it – if they don’t then this really was just a stunt to get a headline.”
Claassens said when the union received an offer it felt it could accept it would take it to its members and delegates for a decision.
“We have to put a stop to the revolving doors of Ministers and misinformation from various government departments and resolve the issues with the deed and the Enterprise Agreement as soon as possible for the benefit of the members and the travelling public,” he said.
Terry Collins