Sydney’s train strikes will not go ahead this weekend, with one of the state’s biggest-ever rail shutdowns averted after talks between the union and the NSW government.
The announcement means commuters will be able to catch trains from tomorrow through to Sunday as normal.
It also means 109 planned work bans for the next two weeks have been lifted.
Premier Chris Minns joined the crisis talks with the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) yesterday after Transport Minister Jo Haylen was unable to get the union to budge on its industrial action.
“We’ve struck an agreement with the combined rail unions to ensure trains will be operating this weekend,” Minns said.
“Those that need to use the rail network can use it.”
He said “intensive” bargaining would now start with the union and government to find a long-term pay agreement.
Minns said as many of the union-demanded 24-hour train services as possible would run this weekend in exchange for the dropping of work bans.
“We are working with Transport for NSW to make sure crews are available to do just that,” he said.
“There would have been thousands of people who made alternative arrangements, I apologise for that.”
Secretary of the RTBU NSW Toby Warnes said he was happy that the premier had agreed to run trains 24 hours this weekend.
“We want to thank the premier for his intervention today, without his help I don’t think we would have gotten to where we got to,” Warnes said.
“Trains are going to be running 24 hours this weekend as we requested, therefore there will be no shutdown to the rail network.
“The government and premier have committed to a process over the next two weeks … hopefully we have a resolution before Christmas.”
He said discussions will focus on the remaining issues in the dispute, including pay.
Transport Minister Jo Haylen said she was “pleased” an agreement had been reached.
“Sydneysiders can get to where they need to go on Friday and Saturday… We apologise for the uncertainty this presented for passengers,” she said.
“That was a better scenario than not having notice.”
