In a major development in the ongoing dispute between rail unions and the NSW government, the Fair Work Commission has issued an interim order directing unions to cease their protected industrial action. The decision comes as a temporary relief to Sydney commuters who have faced significant disruptions to train services over the past two days.
The NSW Premier, Chris Minns, took the extraordinary step of applying to the commission to halt the union’s strike action, accusing them of holding the public transport system hostage while demanding exorbitant pay increases. The government argued that it had negotiated with the unions in good faith but was left with no choice but to seek intervention.
Unions Cry Foul, Blame Government For Negotiation Breakdown
The Rail, Tram and Bus Union fired back, calling the government’s move a desperate attempt to shift blame for its own failure to reach an agreement with workers. The union claims the government has not engaged in meaningful bargaining talks for 44 days, instead choosing to scapegoat rail employees for the economic fallout caused by the dispute.
The real cost to the economy isn’t the industrial action – it’s the government’s refusal to negotiate a fair deal.
– Rail, Tram and Bus Union statement
Over 1,000 Trains Cancelled, Commuters Left Stranded
The strike action, part of the combined rail unions’ push for a 32% pay rise over four years, resulted in a staggering 402 train cancellations on Thursday morning alone. The government estimates that by day’s end, more than 1,000 services will have been impacted. Sydney Trains CEO Matt Longland warned that the afternoon peak could see even greater disruption.
- Inner-west lines and Blue Mountains services hardest hit
- Significant delays expected to carry over into Friday
Fair Work Commission Hearing Set For Next Week
The Fair Work Commission has scheduled a hearing for next Wednesday to consider the NSW government’s case against the rail unions. Given the volume of evidence to be presented, proceedings are likely to extend into Thursday. In the meantime, the commission has put an interim pause on the union’s protected industrial action, set to take effect from 6:30 pm Thursday.
While the decision restores some normalcy for commuters in the short term, the underlying pay dispute remains unresolved. The government’s latest offer of a 13% pay rise plus 1% efficiency and 1% super increases over four years falls well short of the unions’ demands. With both sides seemingly at an impasse, the stage is set for a high-stakes showdown at the Fair Work Commission next week.
Minns Defends Labor’s Union Ties Amid Criticism
Premier Chris Minns, whose Labor government campaigned on a platform of public sector pay rises, faced pointed questions about his ability to manage union relationships. Minns insisted that every NSW Labor administration has dealt with similar challenges and reaffirmed his commitment to acting in the best interests of the people.
What I did promise in the election campaign is that when they occurred, we would always act on behalf of the interests of people, the people of NSW and I believe that’s what we’ve done.
– NSW Premier Chris Minns
As Sydney trains return to regular service for the time being, all eyes will be on the Fair Work Commission proceedings next week. The outcome could have far-reaching implications not just for the rail unions and NSW government, but for the hundreds of thousands of commuters who rely on the city’s train network every day. For now, an uneasy truce prevails, but the battle lines have been drawn in what shapes up as a pivotal industrial relations test for the Minns Labor government.
