{"id":64204,"date":"2024-06-12T13:37:44","date_gmt":"2024-06-12T03:37:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=64204"},"modified":"2024-06-12T13:37:54","modified_gmt":"2024-06-12T03:37:54","slug":"sydneys-major-light-rail-networks-shut-down-due-to-union-strike","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=64204","title":{"rendered":"Sydney\u2019s major light rail networks shut down due to union strike"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Sydney\u2019s transport network has been thrown into disarray on Wednesday as workers have gone on strike, shutting down the city\u2019s major light rail network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Commuters have been warned to expect major disruptions and significant delays during peak hours as thousands have had to seek out alternative transport options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The New South Wales Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) strike has shut down the light rail network for 24 hours and no major trams will run in the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Due to the industrial action, the L1 Dulwich Hill Line, L2 Randwick Line and L3 Kingsford Line are all impacted.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Due to industrial action, L1 Dulwich Hill Line, L2 Randwick Line and L3 Kingsford Line have been impacted on Wednesday. Picture: NCA NewsWire \/ Nicholas Eagar<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The three major tram lines connecting Randwick, Central and Circular Quay will be \u201cfully closed\u201d until 1am on Thursday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Transport New South Wales has warned travellers to \u201callow plenty of extra travel time\u201d but added, \u201cReplacement buses will run every fifteen minutes\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wednesday\u2019s industrial action could also cause further disruptions to Sydney\u2019s Vivid festival just days after crowd chaos trapped visitors<\/a> on Saturday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The strike has come after failed negotiations between NSW RTBU and French transport giant Transdev, the operator of Sydney\u2019s light rail network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite efforts to reach a compromise, NSW RTBU tram and bus divisional secretary David Babineau said the union was \u201cleft with no option\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While Transdev has offered its workforce a four-year 18 per cent pay boost, RBTU members have voted \u201coverwhelmingly\u201d to reject the deal, the union said on Monday.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Buses will replace trams as Sydney’s light rail network will be significantly disrupted on Wednesday due to planned industrial action. Picture: Rohan Kelly<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The union has reportedly requested the amount of sick leave to be increased from 10 to 15 days, as well as a greater pay rise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe can\u2019t have light rail workers in a situation where they\u2019re going to work unwell and putting commuters and others at risk because they don\u2019t have enough sick days,\u201d Mr Babineau said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNor can we agree to a wage deal that doesn\u2019t come close to accounting for the huge cost of living increases we\u2019ve seen lately.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

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RTBU Tram and Bus Division Secretary, David Babineau said Transdev had refused to provide all light rail workers with the fair pay and conditions they deserve. Picture: Tim Hunter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Transdev Sydney managing director Arsene Durand-Raucher said the transport operator was working hard to minimise the impact on customers caused by the industrial action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCustomers should plan ahead and consider alternate public transport options from this Tuesday or, if possible, avoid non-essential tram travel,\u201d Mr Durand-Raucher said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe remain hopeful that we can reach a resolution and avoid unnecessary disruption.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Further strikes could be expected if the negotiations between Transdev and NSW RTBU continue to fail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sky News<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Sydney\u2019s transport system has faced major disruptions and delays on Wednesday as the workers union has brought three city commuter links to a standstill.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":63552,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[273,190,163],"tags":[5026,2139,10323],"class_list":["post-64204","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-australia","category-light-rail","category-rail-industry-news-australia-new-zealand","tag-nsw","tag-sydney","tag-sydney-light-rail"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t