The long-running dispute between the NSW government and rail unions is set to be taken to court as commuters enter their sixth day of confusion in the latest lot of industrial action.
About 4000 services were cancelled or delayed between Friday and Sunday, with more than 300 axed on Monday in an ongoing dispute between the NSW government and rail unions.
Nearly 200 Sydney Trains and NSW TrainLink train drivers and guards didn’t report for their usual shifts as of 5am Monday, after 1525 failed to report for work between Friday and Sunday.
By Wednesday morning, 147 Sydney Trains and NSW TrainLink drivers and guards had not reported for work, with no cancellations across the network as of 7am.
“Passengers are still advised to plan ahead and allow extra travel time as there may be disruption over the course of the day due to industrial action,” a Transport for NSW spokesman said.
“Sydney Trains and NSW TrainLink apologise to our passengers once again for the ongoing disruption and thank our staff who are working hard to minimise the impacts of industrial action.
“The matter will be back in the Fair Work Commission for a full bench hearing today.”
The Fair Work Commission (FWC) on Sunday ruled against the NSW state government’s 418 application seeking orders to prevent unprotected industrial action
Sydney Trains chief executive officer Matt Longland earlier told reporters the Commission found there was no evidence Friday’s disruption was caused by the Union as deputy president Thomas Roberts was looking for a pattern of behaviour.
Mr Longland apologised for “the disruption we are likely to see”, and another hearing was scheduled for Wednesday.
NSW Premier Chris Minns on Tuesday said “everything (was) on the table” following Wednesday’s hearing.
“Everything’s on the table pending the outcome of the case (on Wednesday) — I’m not going to rule anything out, including going to the Prime Minister,” Mr Minns said.
More to come …