By I. Hansana, Jadetimes News
Sydney Commuters Brace for Week long Peak Hour Disruptions Due to Light Rail Strike
Sydney commuters are set to face significant peak hour disruptions throughout the week as light rail workers initiate a strike over pay and conditions. From Monday to Friday, all inner Sydney light rail lines will cease operations during peak hours, specifically from 8am to 10am and 4pm to 6pm. This decision follows the union's move to intensify its industrial action.
The workers are demanding additional sick days and a wage increase that aligns with the rising cost of living, citing transport operator Transdev's refusal to meet these demands. The crux of the dispute lies in pay, with Transdev offering an 18% pay rise over four years, while workers are insisting on a 23% increase, according to Rail Tram and Bus Union’s David Babineau.
Babineau highlighted the significant rise in living costs over the past four years, including energy, food, petrol, and rent, arguing that the offered pay rise is insufficient. He pointed out that Transdev, with a turnover of over $9 billion in the last financial year, could afford to meet the workers' demands. Additionally, Babineau noted that light rail workers are exhausting their 10 annual sick days due to genuine illness and fatigue from tight rosters, impacting their ability to perform safely.
During the industrial action, buses will replace light rail services. Transdev’s Sydney managing director, Arsene Durand Raucher, apologized for the disruptions and advised customers to plan ahead. He assured that efforts are being made to minimize the impact on commuters and encouraged the use of alternative transport options or avoiding non essential travel on trams during the strike period.
The company will deploy staff to manage the disruptions and continue working towards resolving the enterprise agreement. Babineau also expressed regret for the inconvenience to commuters and emphasized the union's efforts to limit disruptions to peak hours, ensuring safer travel outside these times. This strike follows a 24 hour shutdown of inner city trams in June as the union escalated its pressure on Transdev.
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