Trains Will Now Run 24-Hours Over Weekend After NSW Govt & Railway Unions Ceasefire

The NSW Government has organised a ceasefire with the railway unions and stopped this weekend’s train strike, narrowly avoiding what was nearly one of the worst railway shutdowns Sydney had ever seen.

The industrial action was due to commence on Thursday and end on Sunday, but an agreement has been reached to temporarily avert, or postpone, the train strike.

In last-minute crisis talks with the railway union, the NSW Government agreed to run limited 24-hour train services this weekend.

In return, the union will drop work bans.

The intense disruption to Sydneysiders was a large reason for the ceasefire, after transport officials warned residents and commuters to plan for the worst and choose alternative transport, because of the train strike.

The strike would have affected major events, including

Premier Chris Minns announces train strike ceasefire in press conference

NSW Premier Chris Minns and Transport Minister Jo Haylen announced the ceasefire in a press conference on Thursday afternoon.

“I am pleased that we’ve been able to reach an agreement with the unions, meaning that Sydneysiders can get where they need to go on Friday and Saturday, over the weekend,” Jo Haylen said.

Haylen apologised for the “uncertainty” that commuters faced with transport options this weekend, but said, “the good news is, though, that [commuters] can get where they need to go.”

The Premier said the postponement of the strike action makes him “hopeful” for progress in the talks between the six railway unions and the state government.

“[This weekend’s ceasefire is] an interim agreement, effectively now, and hopefully a long-term agreement over the next two weeks.”

“So I’m hopeful that the two weeks of intensive bargaining reaps an agreement,” he said.

Minns said the negotiations were tough but he is “confident” both sides are acting with “good faith” in the talks.

“They’re tough negotiators … they know what they’re doing,” said Premier Minns. “It’s not an indictment on them but they fight hard on behalf of their members.”

“Hopefully we’ll have more to announce about an agreement with the combined rail unions in the coming days,” said the Premier.