Rail workers FINALLY end bitter pay dispute - what it means for the commute of millions of Aussies
Rail workers have agreed to a new pay deal with the NSW government following months of industrial action, which caused many headaches for millions of Sydney commuters.
The Electrical Trades and the Rail, Tram and Bus unions initially sought a 32 per cent pay rise over four years, and a 35-hour working week.
Their negotiations with the NSW government stalled in January, sparking a mass strike which brought the Sydney rail network to its knees after 2,500 rail services were cancelled or significantly impacted over a two day-period.
More than 90 per cent of RTBU members on Saturday voted to accept a 12 per cent wage increase over three years plus back pay.
The deal will now progress to the Fair Work Commission for final approval.
'We want to acknowledge the period of protected industrial action was drawn-out and took its toll on rail passengers,' NSW Transport Minister John Graham said.
'Resolution of the matter will now allow Sydney Trains and NSW TrainLink to focus solely on improving reliability and services for those more than a million passengers who use the network each day.
Sydney Trains chief executive Matt Longland added: 'With this certainty, Sydney Trains can resume its focus on delivering a safe, reliable, and disruption-free service, and passengers can have renewed confidence that the trains they rely on will be there when they need them.'
The RTBU also welcomed the move after a 'tough process'.
'It's fantastic that this long, and often bitter, dispute can finally be put behind us and that workers can get back to doing what they do best – moving commuters safely around the state,' union secretary Toby Warnes said.
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