Rail workers will be offered a $1,000 cash bonus in the latest attempt to end the threat of strikes across the Sydney train network.
Services have been slashed and full strike action threatened during a long-running industrial dispute between Sydney Trains, railway staff and the unions.
But in the latest bid to break further potential action across the city’s network, train managers are set to present the new deal to workers next week.
Rail workers will be offered a $1,000 cash bonus in the latest attempt to end the threat of strikes across Sydney
This will include a lucrative package featuring a 3% pay rise each year, bonus for each member who accepts the deal and free travel on all public transport.
Staff will be presented with the new offer during a round of meetings at depots next week.
The overall deal is set to be worth 4% per year over the next three years, union bosses told members.
A summary sent to members of the Rail Train and Bus Union (RTBU) was revealed after a meeting between the union and train bosses on Wednesday.
‘After the previous offer was overwhelming rejected by your union delegates, management today presented the group with an amended version of their offer,’ it said.
Package features 3% pay rise each year, bonus and free travel on public transport across NSW
‘The updates include changes to some key conditions as well as pay.
‘Management at the meeting indicated that they would be presenting the new offer directly to the workforce via depot meetings, with those meetings expected to start as early as next week.
‘Together, we will get the wages and conditions you deserve.’
A 24-hour strike – which was planned for January 29 – had to be delayed for six weeks after a ruling by the Fair Work Commission said it was illegal.
Workers had initially been demanding a 6% pay rise over the next four years.
Commuters raised eyebrows over the strike action despite the already attractive remuneration packages offered to current and future employees.
Vacancies for train drivers, guards, customer service attendants and maintenance workers are still being posted online.
Train drivers earn up to $100,000 a year with trainees starting on $70,000 a year with commuters raising concern
Train drivers earn up to $100,000 a year, with trainees starting on $70,000 a year, including free public transport travel, customer service attendants is advertised as between $1000-$1088 a week while maintenance coordinators can earn $92,536 per year.
Union members rejected the previous offer from the state government of a 2.75% pay increase.