

Several rail unions, including the Rail, Tram and Bus Union, have withdrawn industrial action and given commitments that they will not pursue them again.
The decision comes only hours before the Fair Work Commissions’s hearing of the NSW government’s bid to end industrial action on the basis that it harmed the NSW economy.
In what was called a “significant and welcomed development”, a government spokesperson confirmed that the unions had withdrawn all notified industrial action, except for wearing union badges, and had it noted by Fair Work that they wouldn’t pursue these actions again.
The Electrical Trades Union however, will only halt their action until March 31, which means that the notified hourly stoppages could still go ahead.
“This uncertainty is intolerable,” the spokesperson said, “The government will continue with its 424 application to ensure commuters are permanently protected,” the spokesperson said.
Industrial action caused widespread disruptions across the Sydney train network last week, with thousands of services cancelled on Wednesday and Thursday.
The government submitted an application with the Fair Work Commission to cancel planned industrial action using section 424 of the Fair Work Act, which relates to a treat to life, safety, welfare, or industrial action causing significant damage to the economy.
Only a last minute interim order from the Fair Work Commission suspended the actions, with the full hearing to take place this week.
Wage discussions continue
Rail unions and the Minns government met on Monday and Tuesday to discuss a new enterprise agreement, but failed to reach a breakthrough, despite unions suggesting a counter-offer to the government for a pay rise of 11 per cent over three years. The offer is less than half of what the unions were seeking when negotiations began eight months ago.
The government are now seeking to remove a risk-assessment clause, which requires transport authorities to consult unions on risk assessments for major changes to rail infrastructure or new train fleets.
The previous Coalition government agreed to insert the clause in the last enterprise agreement after an extended dispute the new intercity train fleet in 2022.