Sydney Trains drivers could win nearly $200,000 as their union threatens a strike on New Year’s Eve if their demands are not met.
The Railway, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) has refused to budge on its demands for a 32 per cent pay rise over four years for its members.
The union has threatened a strike over the next fortnight and has refused to stop strikes on New Year’s Eve after failing to reach an agreement despite lengthy negotiations with the Minns government.
In addition to service cancellations, workers are also refusing to unclog toilets or clean graffiti as part of their strike.
The pay rise would see the average total package of Sydney Trains drivers receiving $198,764 in the fourth year of the deal, according to government documents seen by The daily telegraph.
The documents explained that the projected salary figures would also include charges, allowances and pensions.
According to Transport for NSW, the average salary for a Sydney train driver is $128,196, including overtime and allowances.
However, the RTBU says the base salary for a train driver stands at a paltry $78,388, almost $50,000 less than Transport for NSW’s estimate.
The Railway, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) has refused to budge on its demands for a 32 per cent pay rise over four years for its members.
It comes as more than 580 services were canceled over the weekend following the Federal Court’s decision to throw out an interim injunction blocking industrial action.
Union officials are also refusing to back down from the strike on New Year’s Eve, causing Sydneysiders to cancel their city accommodation and other bookings.
The threat has outraged hotel groups such as Merivale and Luna Park, with both companies making a submission to the Fair Work Commission in a bid to stop the strikes.
“Luna Park Sydney (is) extremely concerned about the timing of the strike action initiated by the RTBU,” Luna Park Sydney chief executive John Hughes said in a statement.
“We are hopeful that the situation will be resolved soon so that people can arrive at Christmas with confidence in their preparations for New Year’s Eve.”
“We fully respect the rights of workers and unions to ensure fair standards, but believe the timing of this action and the potential impact on Sydneysiders and visitors to the city is short-sighted.”
Businesses and restaurants could be hit hard if planned disruptions continue, as venues often rely on foot traffic during the festive season and one of Sydney’s biggest nights of the year.
Businesses could face a huge loss of up to $78 million in revenue on New Year’s Eve if two-thirds of revelers stay home, Business NSW estimated.
Travelers have been warned to prepare for cancellations and delays as the network-wide strike continues.
Business NSW also estimated a loss of up to $59 million if the New Year’s Eve crowd was half its normal size.
The Minns Government has also made an application to the Fair Work Commission, which is due in court on Christmas Eve, in a bid to lift the bans.
Trains will run slowly from Saturday as part of the strike, with drivers traveling 23 km/h slower than usual.
RTBU members have also refused to repair broken or clogged toilets at stations and on trains since New Year’s Eve.
Workers will not clean up or remove graffiti and have also promised not to handle any lost property.
Transport Minister Jo Haylen explained that the proposed strikes against cleaning would mean some trains would not meet minimum running requirements.
“If these strikes go ahead, they will mean fewer trains on our tracks and more canceled services and delays for passengers,” Ms Haylen said.
Negotiations between the government and the union collapsed last week, prompting a stern warning from NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb about holding.
Webb made it clear that he would recommend canceling the famous New Year’s Eve fireworks display on Sydney Harbor Bridge if the planned strikes went ahead.
“If there are no trains available and people cannot leave the city, I am very concerned about the risk this will create for the public because families will not be able to get home and will be trapped in the city.” no way out,” he said Friday.
RTBU Secretary of State Toby Warnes responded later that day and blamed the government for the entire situation.
“If the fireworks are canceled, it will be the total responsibility of the government,” he said.
More than 250,000 people are expected to rely on public transport for New Year’s Eve celebrations, with around 3,200 services typically running every five minutes to get people in and out of the city safely.
New Year’s Eve is the busiest day for the rail network, as millions of people travel around Sydney Harbor and the city to watch fireworks and other celebrations.