Sydney’s train network is heading for meltdown once more after negotiations broke down between unions and rail bosses.
The two parties failed to reach an agreement during a marathon ten-hour meeting on Monday, in which a final offer of a three per cent pay increase and free travel was tabled.
Rail Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) rejected the government’s offer, meaning 9000 workers will refuse to work overtime from Thursday, and walk off the job entirely for 24 hours on January 29.
Sydney’s train network is heading for meltdown again after unions and rail bosses failed to reach an agreement during a marathon ten-hour meeting on Monday (file image)
A final offer of a three per cent pay increase and free travel was tabled by the government in the meeting (file image)
It was rejected by Rail Tram and Bus Union, meaning workers will refuse to work overtime from Thursday, and walk off the job for 24 hours on January 29. Pictured: Sydney commuter chaos earlier this month
The parties will meet again on Tuesday for the unions to hand down their official answer, 9 News reported.
Sydney Trains chief executive Howard Collins remained hopeful that union bosses will reconsider their demands for a six per cent pay increase before the meeting.
‘I’m hoping some overnight thinking and common sense will prevail tomorrow morning,’ he said last night.
RTBU’s Alex Claassens said it rejected the offer because a ‘fair deal’ hadn’t been offered by the government.
Sydney Trains chief executive Howard Collins (pictured) remained hopeful that union bosses will reconsider their demands for a six per cent pay increase before the meeting
RTBU’s Alex Claassens (centre) said it rejected the offer because a ‘fair deal’ hadn’t been offered by the government
The government is set to consider legal action if the unions officially reject the deal. Pictured: Sydney commuter chaos earlier this month
‘Our members are angry, they’re fed up, they’re sick of getting the blame for all the things that have been going on,’ he said.
‘We just want a fair deal and we’re not getting it.’
Train workers have demanded a six per cent yearly pay rise in each of the next four years, claiming to be the lowest paid in the nation.
Now it’s believed the RTBU is the only hold-out on the government’s deal, while other unions are inclined to accept.
The government is set to consider legal action if the unions officially reject the deal on Tuesday, 9 News reported.