Millions of commuters have been warned to prepare for further travel chaos on Sydney’s rail network just days before Christmas.
Trains passing through the port city could come to an abrupt halt for 24 hours from Thursday night after the Federal Court gave the Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) the green light to go on strike.
The move could cause travel chaos for commuters heading to work this Friday, the last working day of the year for many.
Revelers who flock to the CBD during the busy Christmas period and on New Year’s Eve could be affected.
Transport for NSW issued an urgent alert on Thursday afternoon warning travelers of network disruptions due to “ongoing industrial action”.
“Delays and cancellations to Sydney Trains, Intercity and NSW TrainLink services are expected due to ongoing protected industrial action,” the alert said.
“Allow additional travel time and consider using alternative transportation.”
Commuters have been urged to check transportation websites and apps to monitor updates to network outages.
RTBU NSW branch secretary Toby Warnes said workers have the right to go on strike until their demands are met.
Trains passing through the port city could be halted for 24 hours from Thursday after the RTBU was given the green light to begin industrial action (pictured, commuters at Sydney Central Station).
“Members will do whatever it takes to get what they deserve and that will continue indefinitely through this weekend and then the easing of the kilometer ban from Monday,” Mr Warnes said.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Transport for NSW and RTBU for further comment.
The strike could trigger a network-wide shutdown unless trains run 24 hours a day on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.
Businesses and restaurants will be hit hard if planned disruptions go ahead, as many locations will rely on foot traffic during the busy holiday season.
It comes as tensions continue to rise between the state government and the union amid a growing dispute over pay.
The Federal Court ruling dealt a blow to New South Wales Premier Chris Minns after the government’s technical argument seeking to invalidate the strike was dismissed.
The move could cause travel chaos for revelers (pictured) heading over the holiday period with the threat of widespread cancellations on December 31.
The planned disruptions could affect the travel plans of thousands of travelers to see the annual fireworks show over Sydney Harbor (pictured).
It comes just days after the RTBU and several rail unions voted to go on strike from December 28, paving the way for around 8,000 workers to take industrial action.
The union had previously planned to reduce the number of kilometers its members would travel to and from work.
Some of the other plans considered included 24-hour work bans, as well as high-speed trains that will run on the network.
Transport Minister Jo Haylen could not say what that response would be or to what extent NSW’s urban rail network would be affected.
“I hope we have a level of service available to passengers,” he said.
Commuters (pictured center) have been urged to check transportation websites and apps to monitor updates on network disruptions.
The union had previously planned to reduce the number of kilometers its members would travel to and from work (pictured, commuters at Town Hall station in Sydney)
The Federal Court granted the state government a brief reprieve in the industrial sector after it had previously pushed to halt planned work bans and strikes. before they started on December 9.
More to come.