Sydney is gearing up for what could be its most disruptive rail strike in history after negotiations between the Rail, Tram, and Bus Union (RTBU) and the state government broke down on Tuesday.
Starting Thursday, all trains are expected to stop running for four days, creating chaos for commuters and major weekend events. Transport Minister Jo Haylen warned of the severe impact.
“This will cause major disruption to the millions who rely on the Sydney train network for work, school, and everyday life,” she said.
The union, however, claims the strike won’t kick off until Friday, highlighting the breakdown in communication.
To soften the blow, extra buses will be deployed, but Transport Secretary Josh Murray admitted it’s impossible to fully replace train services. “A million people a day use Sydney trains, and alternate options just won’t cut it,” he said.
Adding to the stakes, the strike comes during a busy weekend. Rock legends Pearl Jam are performing at Homebush on Thursday and Saturday, and Sydney is hosting the A-League’s marquee UNITE Round.
The union’s demands include a pay rise and 24-hour train services on weekends. Meanwhile, transport officials argue that running nonstop services Thursday through Sunday isn’t feasible.
The government had proposed running limited services on one line—Strathfield to Hornsby—but the union rejected the offer, prompting further escalation.
RTBU state secretary Toby Warnes said the union's actions aimed to benefit commuters while challenging management. “If the NSW government chooses to shut down the rail system this week, that will be entirely their decision,” he stated.
Business leaders are also voicing their frustration. Paul Nicolaou from Business Sydney called the dispute a blow to the city’s economy, particularly during the crucial pre-Christmas season.
“This ongoing uncertainty is shaking confidence in public transport and hurting businesses just as they’re trying to recover,” Nicolaou said. “It’s time to settle this dispute and move forward.”
With neither side backing down, Sydney faces a weekend of gridlock and frustration, leaving residents and businesses hoping for a last-minute resolution.
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