Rail Union’s industrial actions to bring train delays this weekend

By ERIN MODARO

This weekend will see the first major event in a series of disruptions to Sydney’s train network coming this month. The Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) has announced a packed schedule of industrial actions are coming throughout November and into December, as tenuous negotiations with the state government continue.

Transport for NSW announced that all train lines will be running on reduced timetables on Saturday November 12 and Sunday November 13, with no services operating on the T5 line between Richmond and Leppington.

Due to protected industrial action on Sat 12 and Sun 13 Nov, your journey may be impacted this weekend, including travel to special events.

Trains will run to a reduced timetable on all lines.

Visit https://t.co/QNMwjldrJj for the latest and to plan your trip pic.twitter.com/mXt000hjxE

— Trains Info (@TrainsInfo) November 10, 2022

“Safety critical track work planned for this weekend, and combined with working restrictions, has resulted in a significantly reduced timetable” Transport for NSW said.

No changes to shifts for train crew

As for industrial actions, the RTBU plan to instigate a “ban on altered working” for train crew, which means workers will only work scheduled shifts.

The union wrote in a Facebook post that commuters should “anticipate that some services may be late or more crowded than usual”.

Even with significant delays forecasted, the Union has planned actions on six more days through November, with a strike planned for December 2. The actions include some creative measures such as a ban on cleaning graffiti, and a ban on hosing down platforms.

The RTBU continues to act as the state government and the union have remained deadlocked on negotiations for months. Issues over the safety of the New Intercity trains fleets stay unsolved, as well as wage conflicts.

More major disruptions are likely to come on November 21 and 25, as the Union will refuse to use the internationally built trains, meaning Sydney trains will be at 30% of capacity.