Opal gates will officially be closed as Rail Union backs down from planned actions

By ERIN MODARO

Opal machines on Sydney’s train network will be in full operation after the NSW government lodged a complaint over the continued industrial actions by the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU). The Union’s application to the Fair Work commission to completely switch off Opal machines, as opposed to merely leaving gates open, has been declared ‘unprotected’, and the Union has now backed off.

NSW Transport Minister David Elliott cited safety and financial implications of the actions, saying that “Sydney Trains and NSW Train Link believe the notified action is also unsafe and could cause financial impacts on commuters,”.

The NSW government sought legal advice about the legitimacy of the actions last week, and received advice suggesting that it would be illegal for the Rail Union to go ahead.

The RTBU responded to claims that commuters safety would be impacted by the industrial actions with a Facebook post.

“These ravings about the supposed safety issues of turning off an Opal machine make absolutely no sense” the post reads.

“These are the ramblings of a government who are desperate to distract from the real issue at hand – the safety problems the New Intercity Fleet and the NSW Government’s failure to give workers fair wages and conditions.”

The NSW government and the RTBU are currently still deadlocked over the Union’s push for safety issues with the New Intercity Fleet to be addressed, as well as other bargaining negotiations.

Union says they are seeking an alternative

Alex Claassens, Secretary of the RTBU, announced today that the Union would be seeking “alternative” methods of actions.

“We’re not going to let [the government] skip away yet again, just due to a dirty legal trick that they pulled at the last minute,” Claassens told the Sydney Morning Herald.

A private hearing between the Union and the NSW government will take place this afternoon.