Two days of free train travel for NSW after government, unions sign pay deal

Australia Broadcast Center

16 hours ago

Rail commuters will travel for free over two days as a peace offering from the NSW government after months of disruption due to its stoush with the unions over pay.
On Saturday afternoon the government signed a three-year deal with the rail unions with 92 per cent of workers voting in favour of the new enterprise agreement.
Rail, Tram and Bus Union NSW secretary Toby Warnes described the result as "truly a majority", saying the voter turnout from members was a "historic high".
He said the period of bargaining had felt long but what has been agreed upon was "something that people were really quite happy with".
"But we're really glad we've been able to get this bargain agreement over the line, now we can carry on providing service to the people of New South Wales as our members love to do every day."
Under the agreement workers will get a 12 per cent pay rise over three years plus back pay, they will also see an improvement to their conditions and technological advances.
Sydney Trains and NSW TrainLink will also become one entity.
From Thursday July 31 and Friday August 1, metro and regional train trips across the NSW will cost nothing.
Minister for Transport John Graham told ABC News it was a great result for rail commuters, adding it would allow for further investment into the reliability of the network.
"We know this has been a big impact on people, we know it's been a huge inconvenience — that disruption is over," Mr Graham said.
Four rail unions and the state government have been locked in an ongoing pay dispute for months.
The unions had been demanding better pay and working conditions, with negotiations often clouded by multiple rounds of industrial action and legal proceedings.
"These enterprise agreements have to run through the processes," Mr Graham said.
"This is half the time it took to land the last agreement but for commuters it has been a big disruption."
Last year, doubt was cast over whether Sydney's iconic New Year's Eve firework celebrations would go ahead, after the union threatened to bring the city's rail network to a halt.
On several occasions, the network faced complete shutdowns, including four days of strike action in November last year.
Saturday's landmark agreement, which is now submitted for formal approval with the Fair Work Commission, will last for three years.
"We'll work really closely over these three years with the workforce, and I hope we're on good terms as we come to the next agreement," Mr Graham said.
"But of course, rail workers at the end of this agreement will have the chance to renegotiate their pay and conditions."
Sydney Trains chief executive Matt Longland said it was a win for staff but an even bigger win for the travelling public.
"With this certainty, Sydney Trains can resume its focus on delivering a safe, reliable, and disruption-free service," Mr Longland said.
"Passengers can have renewed confidence that the trains they rely on will be there when they need them."
The government hopes passengers will use the fare-free period to support local businesses hit hard by the industrial action.
"Some of these businesses took a big hit during the period of disruption and they deserve a shot in the arm," Mr Graham said.
Opal gates will be switched off for the 48-hour period at all Sydney trains, NSW TrainLink, Sydney Metro and Airport Line services.
Buses, ferries and light rail trips will still come at a cost.