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The Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) has issued a furious statement, hitting out at “misinformation” about its dispute with the NSW government which has seen Sydney commuters hit hard by strikes and other industrial action.

The union’s NSW secretary, Alex Claassens, said suggestions that rail workers’ actions have been political are “simply ridiculous”.

“There is reporting in some media outlets today suggesting that the actions of rail workers are purely political. This could not be further from the truth,” he said.

“Rail workers have been fighting against the unsafe New Intercity Fleet for over six years and we will continue to fight, no matter who is in government, until we are confident the safety of commuters will not be put at risk by the fleet.

“The idea that refusing to operate trains that we know put the lives of our children and other commuters at risk could ever be considered a political play is simply ridiculous.”

Claassens’ statement comes after weeks of heated back-and-forth between the union and government over the industrial action which has, at times, crippled Sydney’s rail network.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet last week said the offer to make safety modifcations to the new intercity fleet would be withdrawn if the union didn’t stop its industrial action, but later walked back the threat.

The dispute will today head to the Fair Work Commission following a submission by the RTBU.