Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) secretary Alex Claassens threatened the NSW government with more strikes, claiming it had “failed to come to the bargaining table”.
“It will start slowly and gradually ramp up to more serious action that will ultimately affect our communities in approximately two weeks,” Claassens said.
“The NSW Government has taken away our ability to take turn off the Opal machines, action that doesn’t disrupt commuters at all, which is incredibly disappointing,” Claassens said.
The action will begin with overtime bans and a refusal to work with contractors.
After that, Claassens said the union would ban working on any train that’s not Australian-made, before stop-work action would eventually follow.
“As always, we are very disappointed to have to disrupt the communters yet again,” he said.
“We want the safety issues fixed first and foremost and then yes, obviously we will want to negotiate fair working conditions and wages for our network.”
There are no dates set for the industrial action, but the union is required to give formal notice of ten days before the commencement of any strikes.
Employee relations minister Damien Tudehope said there was an opportunity for Claassens and union members to approve “a generous offer” from the government, which would see an increase in worker wages.
“The transport system in this state is not owned and run by the RTBU,” Tudehope said.
“It is owned by the people, the commuters of this state… We need to run a proper rail system for their benefit, not for the benefit of the RTBU.”
The RTBU is demanding government decision-makers, including the premier or cabinet members, ”come to the table” to resolve the dispute.
It says its priority is to get the New Intercity Fleet (NIF) safety modification deed back in negotiations, which the union claims is lacking key features to protect train drivers and commuters.
After, they plan to negotiate higher wages and improved conditions for workers.
The action is occurring while the RTBU and the NSW government wait for an outcome on their case, which is currently before the Federal Court.
9News has contacted the NSW government’s employee relations office for comment.