In a dramatic escalation in the long-running dispute,Dominic Perrottet on Wednesday issued rail unions with an ultimatum after the city’s public transport system came to a standstill amid industrial action on the rail and bus networks.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet issues rail unions with an ultimatum at the Martin Place Metro station on Wednesday after the city’s public transport system came to a standstill amid industrial action.Kate Geraghty
“This ends today;it will not continue. I will not have our city grind to a halt,our people inconvenienced any more by the actions of a union movement that belongs back in the 1970s,” he said.
“The union is using our people as political pawns. They are not going to get away with it any more. Today is the end of it.”
Perrottet said he had directed Transport Minister David Elliott to hand the rail unions a final enterprise agreement that must be taken to members.
If any further industrial action is taken before that offer is agreed to,Perrottet warned that the government would apply to the Fair Work Commission to terminate the union’s existing enterprise agreement and tear up the government’s $1 billion offer to modify the delayed intercity fleet.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet (right) and NSW Minister for Transport David Elliott walk along the final track of the Sydney Metro City at the Martin Place Metro station on Wednesday.Kate Geraghty
The same dramatic action would be taken if rail workers vote down the government’s offer,Perrottet said,adding that he regretted not taking the action six months ago.
Elliott said the government’s patience with the rail unions had worn out.
“I backed them in every step of the way;they’ve shat on me from a great height,” he said of the unions.
on Wednesday due to the industrial action resulting in a 75 per cent cut in train services. Rail workers refused to operate foreign-built trains,which make up three-quarters of the state’s rail fleet.
Rail,Tram and Bus Union secretary Alex Claassens addresses the media earlier today.Brooke Mitchell
Train services were reduced to about 30-minute intervals across most rail lines.
The rail union has told the government it will cease industrial action for at least a month in return for a pay rise 0.5 per cent above the public sector wages cap,as well as a binding commitment for modifications to the Korean-built intercity train fleet.
Perrottet on Wednesday morning ruled out any increase to the wages cap.
The government has been reluctant to increase the wages cap for rail workers as it juggles claims from across the public sector,including nurses and midwives who will strike for 24 hours on Thursday.
The government has offered rail workers pay rises of 3 per cent in year one and 3.5 per cent in year two,which is in line with its wage policy for public sector workers.
Rail,Tram and Bus Union state secretary Alex Claassens said it was working in “good faith” with the transport agency to finally end the dispute but accused the government of using inflammatory language,which had resulted in threats against rail workers.
“The NSW government has a duty of care towards those workers,regardless of today’s protected industrial action,” he said.
Claassens called on “boofhead politicians” and radio hosts to stop using inflammatory language because it was resulting in rail workers receiving threats from members of the public.
“Over the last couple of days,the comments made by certain politicians and their mates the shock jocks have perpetuated a bunch of actions against our members,” he said. “It has to stop,and it has to stop today. I’m calling on everyone to respect the workforce and stop attacking people.”
He also criticised Labor leader Chris Minns who was “out there yesterday calling on us to go back to the table” despite the fact “we have been at the bloody table” negotiating for months.
Asked if he felt betrayed by Minns,Claassens said he was disappointed with “all politicians who are treating us like mugs” and,if the opposition leader wanted to express a view,he needed to reach out to unions and rail workers to hear their concerns.
Elliott walked out of a meeting with the union leaders after less than 30 minutes on Wednesday,telling journalists that the premier had made it “very clear what’s next” if the unions did not agree to the enterprise agreement.
“They have until the end of the day to make an argument but I’m very comfortable with what’s in the[agreement],” he said.
Our Breaking News Alertwillnotify you of significant breaking news when it happens..